Dedicated on February 7 in 1932, the National United Methodist Church stands as a testament to faith. This impressive neo-Gothic church is not just a place of worship. It is a landmark in the nation’s capital. It is the fourth largest religious structure in Washington, D.C.
Let me tell you the story of how this church came to be. It began in May 1852. Methodists in the D.C. area wanted a church to represent their denomination. They sought approval and raised funds from Methodist churches nationwide. Even Abraham Lincoln contributed $100. The land was purchased near the Capitol Building. Construction began.
However, the Civil War and a poor economy halted progress. Work didn’t resume until 1866. Metropolitan Memorial Methodist Church finally opened on February 28 in 1869. Its first members joined on Easter Sunday. In 1871 a tall spire and a set of bells were added.
President Ulysses S. Grant regularly attended services here during his time in office. The church also held Sunday school classes for adults, children, and Chinese immigrants. By 1894, it had a thriving community. It had 549 members and dedicated a quarter of its budget to missions and charities.
At the turn of the century, President William McKinley also frequented services. The city was changing. The church’s neighborhood saw a decline in residents. The property was sold to the government. The church closed its doors in 1930. It decided to relocate.
In 1931, the congregation found temporary space at American University and The Navy Chapel. The new building was under construction. The congregation dedicated the current sanctuary on February 7 in 1932. Membership had declined but started to grow again.
After World War II, the church expanded. An education building was added in 1951. The sanctuary was enlarged in 1957. As Metropolitan Memorial celebrated its centennial in 1969 it reached a peak of over 600 worshippers every Sunday.
The church increased its outreach in the 1970s. It established a homeless shelter within its walls named Metropolitan House. It became a founding member of the Washington Interfaith Network. The church remains committed to addressing homelessness and hunger today.
In 1999, the Great Hall and administrative offices were added. In the spring of 2004, Metropolitan Memorial and Eldbrooke United Methodist Church merged. In 2009, Metropolitan Memorial and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church merged.
In 2008, Metropolitan Memorial became a “reconciling church”. It welcomed gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons. Today, Metropolitan Memorial and Wesley UMC have fully merged. Now it is proudly known as National United Methodist Church.
The National United Methodist Church continues to extend radical hospitality. It pursues justice. It transforms lives. It engages in significant ministries focused on addressing hunger and homelessness. It stands as a beacon of hope and service in Washington, D.C.