Remember December 2020? The congregation of Asbury United Methodist Church experienced something terrible. A Black Lives Matter banner was burned during a Donald Trump event. The senior pastor called it reminiscent of cross burnings.
Asbury United Methodist Church stands as a beacon. It is the oldest Black United Methodist church in Washington D.C. Founded in 1836 as Asbury Chapel, it’s a testament to faith. The church sits on the corner of 11th and K Streets Northwest.
The National Park Service recognized Asbury’s significance. In 2003, it was added to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. This highlights its role in social history. Asbury championed abolition, Emancipation, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights movement.
The church’s history is deeply intertwined with African-American Methodism. It’s the oldest African-American church in the city on its original site. A new building was completed in 1870. The current structure, designed by Clarence Lowell Handing, was built in 1915-1916. Its architectural style is English Gothic Revival.
In the 1920s, William Wilson Cooke made alterations. He was an African American architect. This adds another layer to the church’s rich history.
Asbury United Methodist Church received a grant in July 2021. The National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded it 3 million dollars. The grant will fund repairs to the wood windows. Repairs include the bell tower masonry and the stone facade.
Asbury’s story begins with a group leaving Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church. Eli Nugent led this group. They formed their own congregation in 1836. The first church was small and white.
White church leadership guided Asbury until 1864. The Washington Annual Conference was then founded. Reverend James Peck became Asbury’s first black pastor.
Asbury grew significantly during the Reconstruction Era. By 1915, membership exceeded 1,000. The second structure, built in 1866, was too small. Reverend Matthew Wesley Clair, Sr led the construction of the current building. It features a Gothic design and stained-glass windows. The Asbury Education Center was completed in 1973.
Asbury has always been committed to service. From soup kitchens in the 1930s to today’s food pantry. Asbury Dwellings provides shelter for the aged and handicapped. The Asbury Federal Credit Union has operated since the 1950s.
Asbury’s Archives and History Center holds a wealth of information. It is open to the public by appointment. The center contains annual journals and publications. It also has newsletters and archival material. Some of Asbury’s archives are microfilmed. They are available at the Schomburg Center in New York.
Asbury United Methodist Church stands as a symbol of resilience. It embodies faith, service, and the enduring spirit of the African-American community. Its history is etched in every stone. Its legacy continues to inspire.