Standing three blocks from the White House is the Church of the Epiphany. It’s an old one, built in 1844, headed by a former House of Representatives chaplain. Previously flanked by trees and open sky, the building is now nestled between stout office buildings, its red doors shining like rubies in contrast to the stark white building. I’m always taken aback as I walk by, not because it’s a historied old church (there’s a good number of those in DC), but because of its simple and almost country design that’s worlds apart from its glass and steel neighbors.

Located across the street from the new Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken, you can get your sin and spirituality fixes in less than five minutes (just kidding, Lord).

It’s got a courtyard and is worth a little visit, if just to sit pleasantly and imagine you are somewhere else- a place where life is a little simpler, and not meshed in the complex power webs of the US government.