# The History and Heritage of the Church of the Presidents

St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., is unique among churches in the United States. A National Historic Landmark, located just north of Lafayette Square and in clear view of the White House, it has witnessed the presence within its walls of more notable civilian and military leaders of the United States than any other church in the nation. Aside from the White House, St. John's Church is the oldest building adjacent to Lafayette Square. It was designed, and its construction supervised, by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, a leading architect of the early national period. From its opening in October 1816, every president, beginning with James Madison, has attended St. John's at least once. Several presidents have been members. Thus, St. John's is called "the Church of the Presidents."

- Kind: Talk
- Year: 2010
- By: Library Of Congress
- Genres: History, Religion
- Archive: [Library of Congress](https://www.loc.gov/item/2021688417/)
- Licence or status: Rights statement at the Library of Congress (as the archive states it)
- Credit: Library of Congress
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/loc/2021688417?play=1)