A church bell’s chime echoed through the air. It called worshippers to the First Church of God. This church has a rich history in Washington D.C. The First Church of God isn’t the oldest church in D.C. But its story intertwines with the city’s growth.
The First Church of God started humbly. A small group first met at the U.S. Treasury Building in 1801. Thomas Jefferson was president then. Washington D.C. was a small village. Just a few thousand people called it home. In 1802, the church officially formed. Six laypeople and four ministers established the First Church of God. They met in a private home. From its very beginning, the First Church of God has been at the heart of the nation’s capital.
The church has moved several times. It has occupied five different buildings. These buildings stood on four different sites in the District of Columbia. One former location is especially notable. It later became Ford’s Theater. The congregation moved to its current location at 16th and O Streets NW in 1890. The current sanctuary held its first service on Christmas Day 1955. The First Church of God has seen much history unfold.
The First Church of God also played a role in education. In the early 1800s, Luther Rice was a member. He used the church as a base for his travels. He organized mission support among Baptists across the nation. Our first pastor, Obadiah Brown, supported Rice’s efforts. Together, they helped found Columbian College. This college later became George Washington University.
The First Church of God has a long history of partnership. Since 1845, it has connected with major national Baptist groups. These include the Alliance of Baptists and American Baptist Churches USA. The church also partners with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. It works with the Baptist World Alliance and the District of Columbia Baptist Convention. The First Church of God continues to serve its community. It stands as a testament to faith and resilience in the heart of the nation’s capital.