“What makes Capitol Hill Baptist Church so special?” someone asks. The answer lies in its rich history. It lies in its unwavering commitment to faith. Let’s step back in time and explore the story of Capitol Hill Baptist Church.
Founded in 1878 the church was initially named Metropolitan Baptist Church. This was a nod to the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. Some refute this naming origin. It later became Capitol Hill Metropolitan Baptist Church. This distinguished it from another church of the same name. Eventually it was shortened to Capitol Hill Baptist Church.
Dynamic and theologically conservative preaching became a hallmark. This characterized most of the early 20th century. These were the Metropolitan and Capitol Hill Metropolitan Baptist Church years.
Capitol Hill Baptist Church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. It has been called the epicenter of the new Calvinism. The average age of its members is 31. The church emphasizes regenerate church membership. To this end it has implemented a church covenant.
But how did this all begin? In 1867 a group gathered to pray. They wanted a church in their area. One decade later this dream became Metropolitan Baptist Church. In 1878 it started with 31 members. Over the years the church grew. In 1912 the new main hall was completed. Dr. John Compton Ball oversaw a significant membership increase. By 1950 it numbered in the thousands.
However the membership slowly declined. It hit a low in the early 1990s. There were only around one hundred people. In recent years the church has experienced considerable growth.
Before Mark Dever became the senior pastor others led the congregation. These included John Compton Ball and Walter Pegg. K. Owen White also served. He was once president of the Southern Baptist Convention. He championed conservative theological fundamentalism. J. Walter Carpenter and R.B. Culbreth also pastored. Harold Lindsell served as interim pastor. He was also Editor of Christianity Today. John Stuckey later became a United Methodist Church pastor. C. Wade Freeman Jr. was also a trustee. He served at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Walter S. Tomme Jr. founded Tysons Community Church.
Capitol Hill Baptist Church supports female deacons. This is despite its conservative stance.
In November 1967 Mrs. Celestia Ferris started a prayer meeting. This took place on A Street NE. The neighborhood was growing. Children needed to hear the gospel. In 1871 the Capitol Hill Baptist Sunday School Association was formed. By 1874 they bought the lot where the church stands today.
Today Capitol Hill Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith. It stands as a beacon in the community. Its story is one of perseverance. It is a story of unwavering commitment. It is a story of growth. It is a story of community.