A. T. McCormick
Encyclopedia
A. Thomas McCormick was an Episcopal
clergyman and Chaplain of the United States Senate
. Historians often render his name as Andrew Thomas McCormick or as Alexander Thomas McCormick, which makes researching his life and ministry a bit challenging. The references upon which this biographical sketch are based use both, or A. T. McCormick, which seems to have been his preference. In each case, it is clear from the context that the same person is meant.
in 1770. He was brought up as a Presbyterian. He came to the United States, became an Episcopalian, and was made a deacon by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas John Claggett
, Bishop of Maryland, on June 15, 1794. When he was ordained as a priest is not on record.
. In 1796, he took charge of a school in the new city of Washington, D.C. It was evidently of a higher grade than any in the vicinity. The Rev. George Ralph, his predecessor in the school, had recently resigned to take charge of the newly organized parish of Washington, known as Christ Church, Washington Parish.
In 1798, Mr. McCormick became assistant at Christ Church. On May 4, 1806, he was elected rector, a position he would continue to fill through 1823. Among his happy duties, McCormick officiated at the wedding of Lydia, Benjamin Latrobe
's daughter. John Quincy Adams
was a Unitarian
, not an Episcopalian, but decided while Secretary of State
to go to Christ Church. The reason, he wrote in his diary in 1819, was that its rector, Andrew McCormick, was the only preacher in town worth hearing. I have at last given the preference to Mr. McCormick, of the Episcopal Church, Adams noted in the entry for October 24, and spoke to him last week for a pew.
During this period, McCormick served as Chaplain of the Senate (1804–1805 and 1807–1808).
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
clergyman and Chaplain of the United States Senate
Chaplain of the United States Senate
The Chaplain of the United States Senate opens each session of the United States Senate with a prayer, and provides and coordinates religious programs and pastoral care support for Senators, their staffs, and their families. The Chaplain is appointed by a majority vote of the members of the Senate...
. Historians often render his name as Andrew Thomas McCormick or as Alexander Thomas McCormick, which makes researching his life and ministry a bit challenging. The references upon which this biographical sketch are based use both, or A. T. McCormick, which seems to have been his preference. In each case, it is clear from the context that the same person is meant.
Early years
McCormick was born in IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1770. He was brought up as a Presbyterian. He came to the United States, became an Episcopalian, and was made a deacon by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas John Claggett
Thomas John Claggett
Thomas John Claggett was the first bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America to be consecrated on American soil and the first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.-Early family life:...
, Bishop of Maryland, on June 15, 1794. When he was ordained as a priest is not on record.
Ministry
McCormick became assistant rector in Queen Anne Parish, (St. Barnabas Church (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)), Prince George's County, MarylandPrince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, immediately north, east, and south of Washington, DC. As of 2010, it has a population of 863,420 and is the wealthiest African-American majority county in the nation....
. In 1796, he took charge of a school in the new city of Washington, D.C. It was evidently of a higher grade than any in the vicinity. The Rev. George Ralph, his predecessor in the school, had recently resigned to take charge of the newly organized parish of Washington, known as Christ Church, Washington Parish.
In 1798, Mr. McCormick became assistant at Christ Church. On May 4, 1806, he was elected rector, a position he would continue to fill through 1823. Among his happy duties, McCormick officiated at the wedding of Lydia, Benjamin Latrobe
Benjamin Latrobe
Benjamin Henry Boneval Latrobe was a British-born American neoclassical architect best known for his design of the United States Capitol, along with his work on the Baltimore Basilica, the first Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States...
's daughter. John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
was a Unitarian
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
, not an Episcopalian, but decided while Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
to go to Christ Church. The reason, he wrote in his diary in 1819, was that its rector, Andrew McCormick, was the only preacher in town worth hearing. I have at last given the preference to Mr. McCormick, of the Episcopal Church, Adams noted in the entry for October 24, and spoke to him last week for a pew.
During this period, McCormick served as Chaplain of the Senate (1804–1805 and 1807–1808).