Early EHS and Heavy Religious Influence
Episcopal was super religious in its early years. The first four headmasters were reverends, and EHS was connected to Virginia Theological Seminary. The High School advertised the religious connection heavily, showing that EHS valued religion enough to make it their main selling point. In contrast, nowadays Episcopal advertises things like externships and flex blocks, and doesn't make a huge emphasis on religion.
As seen in the photo to the right, two members of an Episcopalian church in DC donated a large amount of money to Episcopal, and chose to not be recognized for their gift. This donation helps show that EHS not only was connected to religion through the Seminary, but in reality there were many outside religious connections to The High School. Additionally, it shows that Episcopalian churches had faith in the schools teachings and religius values.
"Religious instruction is imparted more or less fully and systematically by all the teachers; this is expected to be a matter of chief interest to them all. On each Sunday the family of the High School attends the chapel of the Theological Seminary ... Thus, and by the proper arrangement of Bible classes and other religious duties, the Sabbath is designed to be improved." - Reverend Pendelton, the first headmaster of Episcopal High School
"The object of the school is to educate youth on the basis of religion; to apply the instructions of the Bible in the work of training the mind, influencing the heart and regulating the habits; to provide for boys during the critical period of middle youth and incipient manhood the safest and best superintendence, the soundest and most healthful moral influences and the most faithful Christian guidance... In a word, it is to make full trial of Christian education in training youth for duty and for heaven." -Reverend Pendelton
These two quotes by Reverend Pendelton, both in 1842, only three years after the school's founding, directly reference the major role of religion and the Bible in Episcopal's original curriculum. Religion was intended to be in every classroom, and religious duties were expected of students. There was no option to not have religion in your everyday life if you were a student at Episcopal before the religious aspects were relaxed. Pendelton and EHS believed that religion was the best thing for their students, and pushed Christianity into every part of the school.