Organized in November 1817, Christ Church, Georgetown, recently completed an 18-month-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of this and other important milestones in the formation of the community of faith at the corner of 31st and O Streets.
The Bicentennial Committee planned and executed an extensive and multifaceted slate of events and programs involving hundreds of parishioners who committed themselves to brainstorming and preparation through the work of five sub-committees: Education, Events, Marketing & Communications, Multimedia & Publications, and Music & Worship. The goals of the Bicentennial celebration were: to express gratitude, to build community, and to inspire growth.
For the story of the parish from its founding to today, see Our History and the history of Christ Church, Georgetown.
In 2018, a committee of interviewers collected parish stories from the memories of individuals involved with Christ Church.
Bicentennial Bulletin
- September 2017
- October 2017
- November 2017
- December 2017
- January 2018
- February 2018
- March 2018
- April 2018
- May 2018
- June 2018
- July 2018
- August 2018
- September 2018
- October 2018
- November 2018
- December 2018
- January 2019
Bicentennial Articles
- The Founding of Christ Church, Georgetown
- Thomas Corcoran
- Reuel Keith
- Clement Smith
- Francis Scott Key
- Writing a Bicentennial Hymn Text
- John Francis Hoff
- James Sewell Morsell
- Thomas Plater
- Eloise Randolph Page
- Ulysses Ward
- The Peter Family
- Charles Alexander Burnett
- John Barnes
- John Pickrell
- Jeremiah Williams
- William Hayman
- 1885 Time Capsule
Founders Luncheon Lecture
Click here for a video recording of parishioner Tom Crocker's Founders Luncheon Lecture, given April 15, 2018.
Bicentennial Celebrations
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Christ Church, Georgetown, was organized on November 10, 1817. On Sunday, November 12, 2017, we honored the founding of our beloved parish with a combined celebration of the Holy Eucharist, at 10:00 a.m. The liturgy featured the premiere of a new congregational mass setting commissioned for the occasion. It was followed by a Founders Festival, featuring period food and drink, live music, and an exhibition of historic documents and artifacts, and other items of interest.
Saturday, May 12, 2018
On Saturday, May 12, 2018, Christ Church opened its doors to the wider community with a Flower Display and Open House. The multi-faceted event coincided with the annual Georgetown Garden Tour, which is based at Christ Church. The doors of the church were open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Guided architectural tours were led by the clergy and a group of parishioner volunteers. The Open House featured an Easter-themed flower display created by members of the Christ Church Flower Committee. The Choir of Christ Church offered two brief, informal, identical choral programs at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
The cornerstone of the first church building was laid on May 12, 1818. We marked the occasion with a combined celebration of the Holy Eucharist, at 10:00 a.m. Following the liturgy, the Choir of Christ Church led parishioners and guests in an outdoor procession up 31st Street to Tudor Place. The Garden Party and Picnic featured family-friendly food and drink, live jazz, activities for children, and tours of the Tudor Place mansion and gardens.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
The first church building was consecrated on December 30, 1818. On Sunday, January 6, 2019, we celebrated the 200th anniversary of this milestone with a service of Choral Evensong for the Feast of the Epiphany, at 5:00 p.m. The liturgy was followed by a festive reception in Keith Hall.
Bicentennial Committee
- Page Lane Smith, Co-chair
- Mary Stuart (Puffin) Brown Travers, Co-chair
- Katherine Brown
- Tim Carrington
- Henry Courtney
- Ed Crocker
- Anne Gambal
- Marcia Mayo
- Glenn Metzdorf
- Thomas Smith
- Scott Plumridge
- Evie Rooney
- David Shepard
- Heather Stouffer
- Christy Thorley
- Sally Squires Wilhelm
- Harry Volz