John Johnson Sayrs (1774 – January 6, 1809) was an American

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clergyman who served as

Chaplain of the Senate The chaplain of the United States Senate opens each session of the United States Senate with a prayer, and provides and coordinates religious programs and pastoral care support for senators, their staffs, and their families. The chaplain is appoi ...

Early years

John Johnson Sayrs was born in 1774 in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Caleb Sayrs and his wife Sarah Johnson. Sayrs graduated from the College of New Jersey ( Princeton University) in 1792.

Ministry

On January 5, 1795, Sayrs became minister of Trinity Church, Fishkill, New York, 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. Georgetown is a historic neighborhood, and commercial and entertainment district located in Northwest Washington, D.C., situated along the Potomac River. Founded in 1751 in the Province of Maryland, the port of Georgetown predated the establi ...

, 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

Francis Scott Key Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779January 11, 1843) was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet from Frederick, Maryland, who wrote the lyrics for the American national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner". Key observed the British bombardment ...

was a friend and vestryman of his congregation. Key penned Sayrs’ epitaph which appears on a tablet in St. John’s Church.

Personal life

Sayrs married Sophia Sprake (sometimes, spelled ‘’Speake’’) during his time at Durham Parish. They were the parents of two sons, one of whom died unmarried, the other, John Johnson Sayrs, Jr.The Correspondence of John Henry Hobart, by John Henry Hobart, p. 19

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sayrs, John Johnson 1774 births 1809 deaths American clergy Chaplains of the United States Senate Clergy from Newark, New Jersey Princeton University alumni 18th-century American Episcopal priests