“Established as the First Colored Baptist Church of Washington” a name from the past echoes. It speaks volumes about the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church’s rich history. This church stands as a testament to faith resilience and the enduring strength of the African American community.
Nineteenth Street Baptist Church began within The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington. It happened in 1802. Initially the church was interracial. Black members worshiped alongside white members. Over time segregation began. Black members were assigned seats in the gallery.
In 1833 a majority of black members chose to return to the original site. It was located at 19th and I Streets NW. They worshiped under the authority of the First Baptist Church. In 1839 they sought to become a separate body. Reverend Sampson White played a vital role. He helped establish the independent congregation.
White secured recognition from leading Baptists. His group included his wife William Bush Eliza Bush Lavinia Perry and Emily Coke. The black members of the First Baptist Church joined them. The membership grew significantly. They possessed the property at 19th and I Streets. The First Colored Baptist Church of Washington D.C. was established in 1839. Sampson White became its first pastor.
The congregation purchased the property. It was on the southwest corner of 19th and I Streets NW. The church joined the Philadelphia Baptist Association in 1840. From 1839 to 1882 the church grew rapidly. They organized a Board of Deacons a Board of Trustees and more. In 1867 the American Baptist Home Mission Society offered courses to freedmen. It happened in the church basement. The program became the Wayland Seminary. In 1870 the church received its charter. It was incorporated as the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. A new building was erected in 1871. It served as the worship site for over a century.
Reverend Dr. Walter Henderson Brooks became pastor in 1882. His leadership spanned over sixty years. Church membership grew to over 3500. The church attracted leaders of the African American community. It became a leading Baptist congregation. Brooks advocated for education racial equality and temperance. He was born a slave in Richmond Virginia. Brooks graduated from Lincoln University. He advocated for liberal arts in black Baptist colleges.
During Brooks’ tenure the church hosted significant events. The National Association of Colored Women was founded there in 1896. In 1915 black Civil War veterans met at the church. They organized a committee to build a monument. It was to honor black achievement. This meeting helped catalyze the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Prominent figures were members. These included Julia Evangeline Brooks and Nannie Helen Burroughs. Charles R. Drew also attended the church. Prominent black families were among its members. These families included Syphax Parker and Pierre.
After Brooks’ death in 1945 Reverend Dr. Jerry A. Moore Jr. became pastor in 1946. Moore served as Brooks’ assistant. He was also a student at Howard University. Moore was active in the D.C. community. He served on D.C.’s City Council. He co-founded the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.
Under Moore the church grew. He created youth programs and scholarship programs. He established Noonday Lenten Services. Many parishioners had left the inner city neighborhood. The church purchased the B’nai Israel Jewish Synagogue. In 1975 the church moved to 4606 16th Street NW. Moore retired in 1996.
In 1997 Reverend Dr. Derrick Harkins became pastor. Harkins was involved in social activism. He advocated for immigration reform. He addressed issues around racially motivated violence. Harkins served as National Director of Faith Outreach for the Democratic National Committee. President Barack Obama and his family visited the church twice.
Under Harkins the church expanded its mission. They extended missionary work to Burkina Faso and Jamaica. In 2016 Reverend Dr. Darryl D. Roberts became pastor. He demonstrated a strong commitment to social change.
Nineteenth Street Baptist Church has produced several other prominent congregations. These include Second Baptist Church and Third Baptist Church. It also includes Metropolitan Baptist Church and Vermont Avenue Baptist. Salem Baptist Church and Berean Baptist Church were also created. The Nineteenth Street Baptist Church stands tall. It is a beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring power of faith.