John Johnson Sayrs
Encyclopedia
John Johnson Sayrs was an American
Episcopal
clergyman who served as Chaplain of the Senate.
, the son of Caleb Sayrs and his wife Sarah Johnson. Sayrs graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University
) in 1792.
, and Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, New York. On January 14, 1799, he became rector of Durham Parish, Charles County, Maryland; there he also operated a flourishing school. In 1804 he became the first rector of St. John’s Parish, Georgetown, D.C., a post in which he continued until his early death at age 36 in 1809. His body was buried beneath the chancel of the church, which was designed by William Thornton
, architect of the Capitol
.
In 1806-1807 he served as Chaplain of the Senate. Francis Scott Key
was a friend and vestryman of his congregation. Key penned Sayrs’ epitaph which appears on a tablet in St. John’s Church.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Episcopal
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 who served as Chaplain of the Senate.
Early years
John Johnson Sayrs was born in 1774 in Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, the son of Caleb Sayrs and his wife Sarah Johnson. Sayrs graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
) in 1792.
Ministry
On January 5, 1795, Sayrs became minister of Trinity Church, Fishkill, New YorkFishkill, New York
Fishkill is an upscale village within the much larger town, Town of Fishkill, one of the fastest growing towns in the region, in Dutchess County, New York, USA. The village population was 1,735 at the 2000 census...
, and Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, New York. On January 14, 1799, he became rector of Durham Parish, Charles County, Maryland; there he also operated a flourishing school. In 1804 he became the first rector of St. John’s Parish, Georgetown, D.C., a post in which he continued until his early death at age 36 in 1809. His body was buried beneath the chancel of the church, which was designed by William Thornton
William Thornton
Dr. William Thornton was a British-American physician, inventor, painter and architect who designed the United States Capitol, an authentic polymath...
, architect of the Capitol
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
.
In 1806-1807 he served as Chaplain of the Senate. Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".-Life:...
was a friend and vestryman of his congregation. Key penned Sayrs’ epitaph which appears on a tablet in St. John’s Church.