Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia announced this week it was pulling down a memorial to George Washington, and another memorial to Robert E. Lee, saying the two former parishioners have become too controversial and are "chasing away" would-be parishioners, the Washington Times website reports today (October 28, 2017).
While acknowledging "friction" over the decision, the Episcopal church's leadership said the twin memorials, which are attached to the wall on either side of the altar, are relics of another era -- an era in which slavery pervaded the United States -- and have no business in a church that proclaims its motto as "All are welcome -- no exceptions."
"The plaques in our sanctuary make some in our presence feel unsafe or unwelcome. Some visitors and guests who worship with us choose not to return because they receive an unintended message from the prominent presence of the plaques," the church leaders said.
The Rev. Noelle York-Simmons, rector of the church, said the decision was made by "unanimous vote" of the vestry.
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