Have you ever felt the weight of history beneath your feet? Here at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection you are standing on hallowed ground. This isn’t just any church. The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection has a rich and fascinating story. It began not as the Anglican parish we see today but as a different church entirely.
In 1882 a plot of land was purchased for $900. It was to become the home of the Mount Jezreel Baptist Church. This congregation was made up of freed slaves. They built a magnificent church. The architect Calvin T S Brent designed it in the Gothic Revival style. It was completed in brick and valued at a considerable $20000. The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection stands in the same building today. Imagine the dedication and hope of those early worshippers. Their legacy lives on in this very space.
The Mount Jezreel Baptist Church thrived for decades. However by the 1980s the congregation had outgrown its building. They moved to a larger location. The building then passed into other hands. The building was occupied by another Baptist church Pleasant Lane Baptist Church. It was renamed Progress for Christ Baptist Church later.
Fast forward to 2002. The Rev Dan Claire planted the Church of the Resurrection. It began as a small house church. The congregation held its first services in rented spaces. They eventually held services at other churches.
For years the Church of the Resurrection was a traveling church so to speak. It finally found a permanent home. In 2021 after a significant fundraising effort the Church of the Resurrection acquired this building. It raised $1.83 million to purchase the historic structure. Now they are renovating it while continuing to hold services.
The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection is more than just a building. It’s a testament to faith resilience and community. It’s a place where the past and present intertwine. It’s a beacon of hope on Capitol Hill. A place where the legacy of freed slaves and the vision of a modern Anglican congregation converge. This is a place to reflect on the past and look toward the future. A place where faith continues to be expressed. This is the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection.