Christ Church of Alexandria, Virginia, first opened in 1773. One of the very first parishioners, who even bought a pew when the church opened, was George Washington. Washington’s connection to Christ Church continued even after his death, as one of his Bibles was donated to the church in 1804.

This week the church announced it was pulling down a memorial to its one-time vestryman and the country’s first president, saying he and another famous parishioner, Robert E. Lee, have become too controversial and are chasing away would-be parishioners.

While acknowledging “friction” over the decision, the church’s leadership said the twin memorials, which are attached to the wall on either side of the altar, are relics of another era 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.

A staffer at the church Friday said the decision was going to be announced to the church on Sunday.

For now the Lee memorial stands to the right of the altar and the Washington plaque to the left. The simple stone memorials, with gold-colored lettering, say: “In memory of George Washington.” and “In memory of Robert Edward Lee.”

So, in other words, Donald Trump is a prophet.

The church, however, has profited for a very long time from its Washington roots. The “about” page listing the history of the church on its website prominently mentions Washington, and advertises itself as “where George Washington worshiped.”

The church even recognized George and Martha during their 240th anniversary celebrations.

And yes, Robert E. Lee also attended Christ Church, is also featured prominently on the history page, and Lee married Washington’s step-great-granddaughter, Mary Custis. Lee’s daughter, also named Mary, left an endowment to the church of $10,000 at her death in 1918. According to one inflation calculator, that is over $176,000 in today’s dollars.

Church leaders did not say whether they will attempt to return the $10,000 gift from Lee’s daughter.

The church’s senior and junior wardens didn’t answer questions about the decision, referring back to the main church office.

There is no doubt that the church has benefited for more than 200 years from its association with Washington. If two plaques noting the memories of Washington and Lee are too much to take – in a church they actually attended! – then we are now officially in the Twilight Zone.

What is really behind this? If people are really feeling “unsafe or unwelcome,” is that really a reason to get rid of the memorial plaques? Is church attendance and giving so greatly reduced that the church needs the free media reports? Are people really leaving in droves because they are so ignorant of history?

Why do I get the gut feeling that this is a church that has forgotten its name – Christ Church – and has abandoned the teachings of Christ’s grace, mercy, and redemption in favor of social justice and super-wokeness? And why do I also get the feeling that they won’t be refunding $176,000 to the Lee descendants or handing Washington’s Bible back to Mount Vernon?

George Washington was a man of courage, conviction, and bravery. Yes, no person is perfect. But in Christ, we all hope to find grace and forgiveness. It’s a shame and a disgrace to the message of Christ, and the legacy of President Washington, that the church he once sought to find peace and worship within is now run by fear of the mob and moral cowardice.