Alexandria's many Scottish immigrants established this church in 1772, contracting John Carlyle to oversee its building. Completed in the mid-1770s, it was the site of celebrations for Alexandria's Masons. In 1799, at Washington's death, the church bell tolled continuously for four days, and his public funeral service was preached here, "the walking being bad to the Episcopal Church." In 1835 lightning struck the steeple and the ensuing fire virtually destroyed the church. Within two years it was rebuilt essentially to its present state.