$26718.55 That’s how much it cost to build the current Ebenezer United Methodist Church. A hefty sum back in 1873. But this isn’t just any church. This is the oldest Black congregation on Capitol Hill.
Before you stands Ebenezer United Methodist Church. It’s a testament to resilience faith and the enduring spirit of a community. Its history stretches back far beyond this imposing red brick structure. It began much humbler as “Little Ebenezer”.
In 1827 Black members of the Methodist Episcopal Church felt confined. They longed for a space where they could worship freely. Their voices couldn’t be contained in the galleries of the white mother church anymore. They needed their own church. Their own way to serve God. So in 1838 they purchased a lot on Fourth and D Streets SE. A small frame church was built. Little Ebenezer was born.
Little Ebenezer wasn’t just a place of worship. It was a community hub. In 1840 the first Sunday school began. Even more remarkably in 1864 it became the first publicly funded school for Black children in Washington DC. Imagine the hope that ignited in those classrooms. The enrollment soared from 40 to 104 students by May 1865. It later moved and became known as Lincoln School.
Little Ebenezer’s congregation grew. Their small frame church couldn’t contain the spirit of their community. So in 1870 they began construction on a larger church. Sadly that building was destroyed in a storm. Undeterred they rebuilt. The church before you is the result of that perseverance that cost $26718.55. The current building was completed in 1873. Then in 1896 another devastating storm hit. This time they chose to rebuild again. The red brick structure you see today dates from 1897. Trustee Daniel Webster nicknamed it “the Old Cream Jug”.
Ebenezer continued to flourish. It became a mother church for other congregations. Its golden era is often linked to Rev William H Dean. His charismatic leadership from 1912 to 1921 drew hundreds of converts. He even paid off the church’s mortgage. A local bank famously opened on a Sunday just to handle a $6000 deposit from one of his rallies.
In 1968 the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Ebenezer’s name officially changed to Ebenezer United Methodist Church. On April 29 1975 it was designated a historical landmark.
This church faced many challenges. It survived segregation. It weathered storms both literal and figurative. It stood as a beacon during the Civil Rights era. It’s a place where generations have found faith hope and community. It’s a testament to the power of perseverance. This is Ebenezer United Methodist Church a place where history lives and faith endures.