“Discrimination can birth a revolution” I heard someone whisper as I approached Asbury United Methodist Church. Asbury United Methodist Church stands here as a testament to the resilience and determination of its founders. They were once members of Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church.
Let’s step back to 1836. Black worshipers at Foundry faced intolerable conditions. They lacked a voice and recognition. They were even confined to the gallery during services. Imagine the sting of being segregated in a house of God.
This injustice sparked a desire for change. Black members began meeting in their homes. They yearned for a place where they could worship freely. John F. Cook a black man established the Asbury Sunday School in 1829. This was a precursor to their separation.
In 1836 the Asbury Aid Society formed the nucleus of a new church. Seven white trustees purchased property for 300 dollars. Black brethren erected a frame building. They dedicated it as Asbury Chapel.
That same year Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church was officially named. It honored Bishop Francis Asbury. This marked the beginning of a new chapter. It was the first edifice for the Asbury congregation. It stood until 1866.
Before 1864 black Methodist churches belonged to the Baltimore Conference. Black preachers were not accepted as members. They served as assistant helpers to white pastors. This further fueled the desire for autonomy.
In 1864 leaders from sixteen black churches petitioned for their own conference. The Washington Annual Conference was formed. Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church joined in October 1864. Rev. James Peck became the first black pastor in charge. Black trustees replaced the former all-white trustees.
Fundraising began for a new building in 1865. Rev. Julius Caesar Johnson continued the work in 1866. Robert H. Robinson completed the new edifice in 1870.
Asbury continued to grow and evolve. In 1890 Ephraim Nash donated his twenty-room home. It became the forerunner of Sibley Hospital. William J. Sibley donated funds for nurse training. The hospital opened in 1894.
Matthew W. Clair Sr. became pastor in 1902. He initiated numerous religious societies. In 1914 the old Asbury edifice was razed. A new place of worship began on its foundation. Asbury opened its doors in 1916.
Rev. Robert Moten Williams arrived in 1931. He introduced countless programs for self-improvement and community involvement. The Asbury Federal Credit Union was chartered in 1945. It was the first of its kind in any church. In 1947 Asbury established the first interracial housing in Washington.
In 1984 the Historic Preservation Review Board designated the Asbury edifice as a landmark. The National Park Service added Asbury United Methodist Church to the National Register of Historic Sites one month later.
Asbury United Methodist Church stands as a beacon of hope. It embodies the spirit of those who fought for equality. It reminds us that faith and determination can overcome adversity. It is a living testament to the power of community and the pursuit of justice.