DC church wrestles with FBI connection
J. Edgar Hoover (center) director of the FBI, stands by a plaque dedicating a large stained-glass window to him at Capitol Hill Methodist Church on June 26, 1966. Also pictured are Edward B. Lewis (left), pastor of the church, and Frederick Brown (right), chaplain of the Senate. (Photo courtesy of Capitol Hill United Methodist Church)
The association between Jesus and longtime FBI chief J. Edgar Hoovers comes up frequently at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church in Washington, DC. There’s a huge stained-glass window of Jesus in the sanctuary. A plaque nearby dedicates the window to Hoover, who headed the FBI and its predecessor agency from 1924 until his death in 1972. The church parking lot sits on the property where Hoover was born and lived for many years.
Yes, the same Hoover who allegedly possessed files of embarrassing photos and reports of government officials and other victims as insurance to keep him in his position.
“(The plaque) signals to me that you agree that J. Edgar Hoover is a good model for Christian virtues,” said the church’s pastor, Stephanie Vader. “Because otherwise, why would you have it up there?”
