President Obama has decided to pass on joining a Washington congregation, instead making Camp David's Evergreen Chapel hi...

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Politico Contributor

President Obama has decided to pass on joining a Washington congregation, instead making Camp David's Evergreen Chapel his primary place of worship, Time magazine reports.

Time: "A number of factors drove the decision — financial, political, personal — but chief among them was the desire to worship without being on display. Obama was reportedly taken aback by the circus stirred up by his visit to 19th Street Baptist in January. Lines started forming three hours before the morning service, and many longtime members were literally left out in the cold as the church filled with outsiders eager to see the new President. Even at St. John's, which is so accustomed to presidential visitors that it is known as the 'Church of the Presidents,' worshippers couldn't help themselves from snapping photos of Obama on their camera phones as they walked down the aisle past him to take communion…

"The First Family won't have that problem at Camp David, where the 150-seat Evergreen Chapel attracts a congregation of between 50 and 70 people most Sundays. The rustic stone-and-glass octagonal structure was built nearly two decades ago through private funds; President George H.W. Bush dedicated it in 1991."

The Charleston Gazette is a member of the Politico Network.

By
Politico Contributor

President Obama has decided to pass on joining a Washington congregation, instead making Camp David's Evergreen Chapel his primary place of worship, Time magazine reports.

Time: "A number of factors drove the decision — financial, political, personal — but chief among them was the desire to worship without being on display. Obama was reportedly taken aback by the circus stirred up by his visit to 19th Street Baptist in January. Lines started forming three hours before the morning service, and many longtime members were literally left out in the cold as the church filled with outsiders eager to see the new President. Even at St. John's, which is so accustomed to presidential visitors that it is known as the 'Church of the Presidents,' worshippers couldn't help themselves from snapping photos of Obama on their camera phones as they walked down the aisle past him to take communion…

"The First Family won't have that problem at Camp David, where the 150-seat Evergreen Chapel attracts a congregation of between 50 and 70 people most Sundays. The rustic stone-and-glass octagonal structure was built nearly two decades ago through private funds; President George H.W. Bush dedicated it in 1991."