Did you know that St Thomas Parish in Washington DC once boasted a gilded cross visible across Dupont Circle? This wasn’t just any church. It was a place of worship for the elite. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Harry Truman and Mrs Woodrow Wilson all attended services here. Imagine the hushed reverence the whispered prayers the grandeur of the original Gothic structure. St Thomas Parish wasn’t just a building. It was a symbol of high society. This was a church where presidents worshipped. On the first Sunday of Lent in 1933 parishioners welcomed back Franklin D Roosevelt the day after his inauguration. Hundreds lined up hoping to attend the 11 am service.
But St Thomas’s story is more than just its famous congregants. It’s a tale of resilience of adaptation. The social upheavals of the 1960s transformed Dupont Circle. The neighborhood attracted artists and hippies. The church became a haven a shelter for protesters tear-gassed during anti-war demonstrations. It hosted tutoring programs for underprivileged children. It served as an aid station a place of refuge. Then came the devastating fire of 1970. Arson destroyed the beautiful Gothic church.
Many parishioners left. The parish faced a severe financial crisis. Yet the vestry voted to stay. They converted the surviving Parish Hall into a simple modern worship space. They transformed the church grounds into a neighborhood park. The remaining building became a center for community groups and recovery programs. This wasn’t just rebuilding. It was a rebirth a transformation reflecting the changing times and the parish’s evolving identity.
St Thomas Parish embraced inclusivity. It supported civil rights movements for African Americans and women. It became a sanctuary for the LGBT community particularly IntegrityUSA an organization of gay Episcopalians seeking a welcoming space. The parish held memorial services for those who died from AIDS regardless of membership. In 1992 Rev James Holmes an openly gay priest became rector. In 1998 St Thomas developed one of the Episcopal Church’s first liturgies for blessing same-sex unions. Rev Elizabeth Carl the first openly lesbian priest ordained by the Episcopal Church served as interim rector. The parish continued to pioneer a path towards inclusivity.
Today St Thomas Parish stands as a testament to its rich history its unwavering commitment to community and its embrace of change. Its modern building is a stunning example of adaptive reuse a physical manifestation of its spiritual journey. The Phoenix rising from the ashes a symbol not just of the fire but of the enduring spirit of St Thomas Parish. It stands as a beacon of hope a testament to the power of faith in the face of adversity. A place of worship welcoming all. A place where history and progress intertwine.