SPOTLIGHT ON A NATIONAL FUND PARTICIPANT
The Church on Capitol Hill:
Lutheran Church of the Reformation
by Chad Martin
Director of the National Fund, Partners for Sacred Places
J
anuary of 2016 was a momentous time in Washington, D.C.,
with throngs of people making pilgrimage to the nation’s
capital on back-to-back weekends. One weekend Donald
Trump was inaugurated president, and the next weekend
others gathered in protest of that presidency for an event that
would become known as the Women’s March.
On both occasions hundreds of thousands of visitors gath-
ered on Capitol Hill, with countless thousands walking
past Lutheran Church of the Reformation as they made
their way to the National Mall.
ter soon after its institutional neighbors, emulating their modern
simplicity. They were deliberately designed to provide unity and
continuity around the National Mall. Meanwhile, the interior
spaces, especially the sanctuary, take inspiration from the Nordic
roots of the Lutheran tradition. There Christian symbolism is
subtly conveyed in the decorative painting and sculpture of the
sanctuary.
For both occasions, Reformation opened its doors for
visitors to use restroom facilities. Staff and volunteers
from the congregation served hot coffee and snacks
throughout the day, running out to buy more supplies so
that every visitor could be served. Rabbi Hannah Spiro,
whose independent Jewish congregation regularly rents
space at the church, would later recall, “I aspire to one day
be as organized for good works as Reformation is. Pastor
Mike, Vicar Katie, and their many lay leaders greeted
each newcomer -- across the political spectrum -- with
loving kindness.”
Lutheran Church of the Reformation is uniquely
positioned as the church closest to the U.S. Capitol. With
the Supreme Court also nearby, the Folger Shakespeare
Library across the street, and the Library of Congress only
a couple blocks further, the church occupies an opportune
space within the civic commons of Washington. From its
earliest days in this building, the congregation has self-
consciously embraced its location. When the building was
dedicated in the 1930s a speaker mused, "The Capitol
stands for Law, the Supreme Court for Justice, the Con-
gressional Library Annex...and Folger Library for Educa-
tion; may we help hold aloft the light of Religion.”
The exterior design of the building also echoes the
architecture of these neighboring institutions. Reforma-
tion’s Art Deco stone facade was designed by Irwin S. Por-
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SACRED PLACES • AUTUMN/WINTER 2018-19
Andrew Robb, member of the church, confer-
ring with Bob Jaeger from Partners
An Early Modern Gem