Government Buildings Were Used by Churches for Christian Worship Services
US Treasury Building
When the US Treasury Building was constructed in 1800, it was used for church services on Sundays.
US Capitol Building
- Two churches met in the Capitol Building when it was first built, one in the House of Representatives; the other in the Supreme Court Chamber.
- President Thomas Jefferson, who penned the words, "A wall of separation between Church and State," attended worship services there.
- President James Madison, who wrote the First Amendment, also attended Sunday services in the Capitol.
- No early Presidents or members of Congress believed that church in the Capitol violated the First Amendment.
West Point Chapel
The old West Point Chapel building was built in 1836 – just 45 years after the First Amendment was written. The builders of the chapel were just one generation away from the Founding Fathers who wrote and approved the First Amendment. They knew what it meant!
Built for Christian Worship
- “The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not” (John 1:5)
- “Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)
- In the Main Reading Room are statues and quotes representing fields of knowledge.
- Moses and Paul represent Religion, with the inscription, “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God.” (Micah 6:8)
- Science is represented by, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handywork.” (Psalm 19:1)
- History: “One God, one law, one element, and one far-off divine event, to which the whole creation moves.”
Scriptures and Christian Symbols in Government Buildings
US Capitol Building
The picture at the right is a stained glass window in the US Capitol Building. It depicts George Washington in prayer, and the inscription above him reads, “THIS NATION UNDER GOD.” This was the conviction of many of our Founding Fathers. They would not allow the US to create an official “Church of America” like Britain’s “Church of England.” They promoted the reading of the Bible without endorsing any one denomination.
The picture below it is a painting of the Baptism of Pocahontas by an Anglican clergyman. It is on display in the Capitol Building.
Supreme Court Building
Moses is front and center with the Ten Commandments in the front of he building.
The Ten Commandments are displayed on the wall in the court room
Library of Congress
The Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress was built between 1890-97. Everybody knew that including Bible references and references to historical Biblical events was not a violation of the First Amendment. Some of the references include:
This picture of the Baptism of Pocahontas by an Anglican clergyman is on display in the Capitol Rotunda.
This stained glass window in the Capitol Building shows George Washington in prayer. The inscription above him reads, "THIS NATION UNDER GOD." This was the conviction and intent of many of our Founding Fathers, and no one considered it a violation of the First Amendment..