The historic “Church of the Presidents” caught fire in Washington over the weekend, during protests spurred by the death of George Floyd.
Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire in the basement of St. John’s Episcopal Church on Sunday evening and said it was intentionally set.
The 200-year-old church also endured graffiti on its exterior and broken glass that was protecting a stained glass window. A different fire was set outside of the building.
The historic St. John’s church across from the White House has been set on fire: pic.twitter.com/mWgtdkwBq3
— Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) June 1, 2020
Faith leaders quoted the “Book of Common Prayer” in response to the destruction, asking “that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease.”
Rev. Rob Fisher, rector of St. John’s, along with two others associated with the church, said in an email to a local NBC affiliate, “Please pray that our country can heal the wounds laid bare by the tragic and unnecessary death of George Floyd.”
The church, nicknamed the “Church of the Presidents” due to its close proximity to the White House and its history of having every president since James Madison attend a service, was established in 1815 and is a National Historic Landmark.
St. John’s will fix any damages endured once the riots have ended, and all valuable items have been secured, according to church leaders.
