The church building that currently in use is the third church structure to be located on this property. The first structure was wooden and sat on an acre of land donated by Thomas Noble Wilson.  It was completed in 1857and burned down in 1896.  

   There is a story that General Jubal Early donated $100 to pay for the roof of the first structure when he noted it did not have one as he marched toward Fort Stevens in 1864.  What is known is that 17 Confederate soldiers who died in the Battle of Fort Stevens are buried in one grave located at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Grace Church Road.  Grace cemetery was the closest burying ground, and it has been suggested that the $100 was in payment for the burials. 

   The second structure, designed by architect Clarence L. Harding, was a brown-shingled church that faced Georgia Avenue.  It was completed in 1897.  This church was too small for the number of families attending church in the early 50s, so in 1955 ground was broken for the current building, which was completed in 1956.  During the 50s until 1971, the church had three services each Sunday morning at 7:30 am, 9:00 am, and 11:15 am to accommodate attendance.

 

   There are a number of local Episcopal churches today that were started as missions of Grace Church: St. Mary’s, Aspen Hill; St. John's, Norwood (Bethesda), consecrated in 1872; Christ Church, Kensington; and a church in Takoma Park.

   Many more events have taken place at Grace Church and several famous people (including Senator Blair Lee) have been members of Grace during the church's 155-year history.  For those who wish to know about the complete history through 1982, there are two books in the church office that contain all of the above information and much more: To Light the Wayby Mildred Newbold Getty and To Grow in Grace by Orville C. Shirey and Bettie Loux Donley. 

---   Taken from an article written by Lynn Hutcheson for the Grace Church Messenger  2002 with updates provided by Grace Shirey and Theresa Wheeler in 2010.