Did you know that Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church owns the Proud Boys trademark now? It is quite a story. Welcome to the historic Metropolitan AME Church.
Metropolitan AME Church stands as a beacon of faith and resilience. It is located at 1518 M Street, N.W., in downtown Washington, D.C. The church has a rich history deeply intertwined with the African American struggle for equality.
The congregation’s roots go back to 1838. It was then known as Union Bethel Metropolitan A. M. E. Church. Bishop Daniel Payne appointed John W. Stevenson in 1880. He was tasked with building a new church. This new building would become Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The cornerstone was laid in September 1881. However, some members found Stevenson’s methods unsettling. He was removed before the building was completed. The reason was a salary request deemed too high.
The new church building was dedicated on May 30, 1886. George Dearing was the architect. Metropolitan AME Church says it is the oldest continuously Black-owned property in the original 10-mile-square parcel of the District.
This church has hosted significant events. The funerals of abolitionist Frederick Douglass in 1895 and civil rights activist Rosa Parks in 2005 were held here. In 1973, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
However, the church faced challenges. In May 2010, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed it as one of America’s Most Endangered Places. Water damage and structural problems required $11 million in renovations.
President Barack Obama attended services here on January 20, 2013. He came before his second inauguration.
In December 2020, a Black Lives Matter banner was stolen from the church. It was burned during a pro-Trump march. Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested. He was charged with destruction of property.
The church took legal action. In January 2021, it filed a lawsuit against Proud Boys International, LLC, and Tarrio. The Proud Boys did not respond. The church sought a default judgment.
In June 2023, Judge Neal E. Kravitz imposed civil penalties. The Proud Boys and four of its members had to pay over $1 million. Kravitz cited their hateful and overtly racist conduct.
Then, in February 2025, Judge Tanya Jones Bosier issued a $2.8 million default judgment against the Proud Boys. This included giving the church rights to the name Proud Boys. They also gained control of trademarks owned by the group.
Metropolitan AME Church’s history is filled with important milestones. It was formed by two existing churches. These were Israel Bethel A.M.E., founded in 1821, and Union Bethel A.M.E., founded in 1838. The A.M.E. Church movement grew out of an anti-segregation protest in Philadelphia in 1787.
The Baltimore Conference authorized the construction. They wanted a new Metropolitan Church in Washington, D.C. The conference also requested donations from each Annual Conference. This highlighted the national character of Metropolitan.
From anti-slavery leadership to modern-day projects, Metropolitan has been a major center of worship. It has also been an institution in the forefront of civic, cultural, and intellectual life among African Americans. The Bethel Literary Society began in the church in the 1850s. Its purpose was to spread literacy.
Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, and many other famous people have spoken here. The funerals of Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks were also held at Metropolitan.
Metropolitan AME Church stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of justice. The church continues to be deeply spiritual and deeply engaged with the world. It truly stands up for justice and stands against hate.