Although Washington had been planned as a city in 1791, it did not become the actual seat of government until 1800. It was necessary, therefore, for those desiring a Protestant Episcopal Church in Washington to apply to the Maryland Assembly. This application was made and an act passed to form a new parish to be known as Washington Parish. On May 25, 1795, a meeting was held, and the parish of Christ Church, Washington Parish, was incorporated and vestrymen elected. At this meeting Rev. George Ralph was appointed the first rector. The first services were held in an old building, originally used as a tobacco barn, located on New Jersey Avenue near D Street SE. [Illustration: OLD TOBACCO BARN] On May 6, 1806, two offers of sites for a new church were made. The one by William Prout--the present site--was accepted, and in 1807 the present building was erected. Three free pews were set aside--one for the use of the President of the United States; one for Mr. Prout, the donor of the land; and the third for the rector. The church stands on G Street, near Seventh SE. For many years each incoming President was notified that a pew had been reserved for his use. During their terms of office Presidents Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe worshiped in Christ Church. During all these years the fame of the church has grown, from its antiquity as the mother church of the Capital and from its spiritual work and ministrations. A history of the parish would not be complete without some notice of its burying ground (illustrated on page 44). [Illustration: CHRIST CHURCH] On March 30, 1812, Henry Ingle deeded to Christ Church vestry a square of ground known as square 1115, and the name of Washington Parish Burial Ground was given it. On May 30, 1849, the vestry changed it to Washington Cemetery. Yet in popular nomenclature it is known as Congressional Cemetery. Title can be traced back to its early connection with the National Legislature. On April 15, 1816, the vestry assigned 100 sites for the interment of deceased Members of Congress. On December 15, 1823, 300 more sites were donated for the same purpose. Congress afterwards bought more sites and erected small freestone cenotaphs, which form a conspicuous feature, made sundry appropriations for improvements, and began to add its name to the cemetery. Many Congressmen and Government officials are buried there, including Tobias Lear, private secretary and friend of George Washington, who died in 1816; Dr. William Thornton, who drew the original plans of the Capitol, and died March 28, 1828; George Hadfield, an assistant architect of the Capitol; George Clinton, of New York, and Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, Vice Presidents of the United States. The cemetery, located at Eighteenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue SE., is adjacent to the Anacostia River and comprises 30 acres. ST. JOHN’S CHURCH