Chevy Chase Circle

History

The circle was built around 1890 by the Chevy Chase Land Company as part of its construction of the northern extension of Connecticut Avenue from the Rock Creek gorge. The circle marks the lone bend in the road’s five-mile stretch between Rock Creek and its original terminus at Coquelin Run. The company had initially planned to grade the road in a straight line to Rockville, Maryland, but could not acquire the necessary land at the desired price, and so turned due north at the D.C.-Maryland border.

A streetcar line—first named the Rock Creek Railway, later the Capital Traction Company—ran through the circle. It would operate until Sept. 15, 1935, when its service was replaced by buses.

All Saints' Episcopal Church opened on Chevy Chase Circle on December 1, 1901. It was built in the Gothic style of architecture on land donated by The Chevy Chase Land Company. Rev. Dr. Thomas S. Childs was its first pastor.

Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, also on Chevy Chase Circle, was built in 1911. Rev. Dr. Hubert Rex Johnson was its first pastor.

The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church was canonically established in 1911. A simple, temporary church was built at that time, with construction of the present church beginning in 1925. The cornerstone was blessed by Bishop Thomas J. Shahan, rector of the Catholic University of America. Archbishop Michael Joseph Curley officiated at the dedicatory service.

In 1933, the Garden Club of American installed stone entrance markers on the east and west sides of a grassy ring within the Circle's interior, marking Connecticut Avenue's entry into the District of Columbia.

In 1938, Francis Griffith Newlands Memorial Fountain, a 60-foot water feature of sandstone and concrete, was erected in the center of the Circle, commemorating Representative and Senator Francis Newlands of Nevada.

References

References

1. Eisen, Jack. (September 15, 1985). "50 Years of Buses". Washington Post.
2. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/144286988 Opened a New Church: Pretty House of Worship at Chevy Chase Circle]". ''The Washington Post''. December 2, 1901. p. 12.
3. French, Roderick S.. (1973). "Chevy Chase Village in the Context of the National Suburban Movement, 1870-1900". Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D.C..
4. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/145103424 Dedicate New Church: Hundreds Attend Services at Chevy Chase Edifice]". ''The Washington Post''. January 9, 1911. p. 5.
5. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/543930685 Three Brothers Officiate At Cornerstone Laying]". ''The Baltimore Sun''. November 2, 1925. p. 3.
6. The new Church opened on November 6, 1927."[https://www.proquest.com/docview/149681829 Prelate Dedicates Sacrament Shrine with Solemn Pomp: Archbishop Curley Presides at Services in New Chevy Chase Church]". ''The Washington Post''. November 7, 1927. p. 18.
7. Williams, Kim, District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office, Washington, D.C.. (October 2006). "Garden Club of America Entrance Markers at Chevy Chase Circle". Historic Washington.
8. Coordinates of Garden Club of America entrance markers:
   (1) West side of grassy ring: {{coord. 38.967624. -77.077353. type:landmark. 38.967589. -77.076948. type:landmark
9. "Chevy Chase Circle". Town of Chevy Chase.
10. Sisson, Edward Hawkins. (26 February 2009). "Chevy Chase Circle Fountain: A Call To Rededicate a Memorial to Racism". newgeography.com.