Before Grace Bible Church stood Suter’s Inn. George Washington Thomas Jefferson and Pierre L’Enfant were patrons. This inn occupied the very spot where Grace Church now stands. Imagine the bustling seaport below. It was a vibrant scene of commerce and industry. Grace Bible Church’s history is interwoven with Georgetown’s. It began as a mission church serving the working class. These were the laborers the craftspeople the watermen who lived and worked along the Georgetown waterfront. They were often too poor to afford pew rents at the established Episcopal churches. So two parishes St John’s and Christ Church Georgetown took it upon themselves to provide a church for these forgotten souls.
Initially services were held in private homes. Then a small wooden chapel was built in the southwest corner of the present churchyard. The Evening Star newspaper described Grace Church in 1895 as the only church in a really poor district. Its pastor was always working among his people dispensing aid to the unfortunate. This dedication to outreach remains a core value of Grace Church. In the 1960s the church started programs for Georgetown’s youth. These included job counseling food co-ops and drug abuse advice. The church even served as an emergency shelter for the homeless.
In 1987 Grace Church became home to the Georgetown Ministry Center GMC. This center provides counseling information referral services showers and laundry facilities for the homeless. The GMC moved into a new facility under the rectory in 2003. Grace Church also started Grace’s Table. This is a ministry that provides meals and Bible study to the homeless and marginalized. Volunteers prepare food and gather with guests to eat and socialize. Georgetown University students also assist in this effort.
Grace Church stands as the only religious institution in lower Georgetown. It’s committed to its outreach program. It also offers a spiritual refuge for everyone regardless of religious affiliation. Visitors find a warm welcome wonderful music and a heartfelt faith. The legacy of Suter’s Inn is a reminder of Georgetown’s past. The unwavering dedication of Grace Bible Church shows its enduring spirit. This church is more than just a building. It’s a beacon of hope and community service in the heart of Georgetown. It’s a place where history and faith intertwine. It’s a place where everyone is welcome.