“156 Years of Charting Our Legacy Through Spirituality With an Unchangeable God.” That’s quite a statement, isn’t it? It speaks volumes about the enduring spirit of Galbraith African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
Galbraith African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church stands as a testament to faith. It represents resilience in the face of adversity. We are standing before a church with a rich history. It has deep roots in the community.
Let’s step back in time. The year is 1843. Slavery was still a stark reality. Washington D.C. was a city finding its footing. Bishop Singleton T. Jones saw a need. He was a pastor at Zion Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church. He wanted to extend the church’s reach. He started a mission in Northwest Washington.
The mission began humbly. It started in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Payne. Their home was on New Avenue Northwest. It was between Fourth and Fifth Streets. Rev. Singleton T. Jones led the first sermon. Professor R.H. Dyson provided the music. Six dedicated members joined. They were Father and Mrs. Bartlett and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Payne. Two other individuals’ names are lost. Rev. Richard Tompkins took charge for ten months.
The early years were a struggle. The mission saw highs and lows. But in 1852, it found new life. Rev. R.H.G. Dyson led the reorganization. Father and Mrs. Bartlett were key. Mr. and Mrs. Payne and Mr. Julius Warren also helped.
The first church building was small. It measured just eight feet by twenty feet. Mr. Payne built it. It served multiple purposes. It was a Sunday School and a place for preaching. Miss Martha Ross even used it as a day school. Black children had few educational opportunities then. The church filled that void.
The congregation quickly outgrew the small space. Mr. Payne put up tents behind the building. These tents accommodated three hundred people. But danger lurked. Lawless white men stoned the tents during services in 1853. To protect the congregation, Mr. Payne built a two-story structure.
Rev. Dyson joined the Annual Conference in May 1853. He was sent back to the mission. That fall, the mission purchased a lot on L Street. It was between Fourth and Fifth Streets Northwest. The price was $225. Dr. Hall, the owner, donated $25. Julius Warren and Mr. Payne each paid $25. They paid for a deed of trust.
Mr. Naylor, a builder, agreed to construct a church. He asked for a reasonable sum. Payments would be made in small amounts. The cornerstone was laid in 1853. It was the first laid by Colored Masons in Washington. Rev. Dyson chose the name “Galbraith A.M.E. Zion Chapel.” It honored Bishop George Galbraith. The dedication took place in March 1854.
Rev. Pharaad B. Masah el currently leads Galbraith African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. In 2009, Rev. Myrtle Bowen became the first woman to lead the church in its 170-year history. She is also a civilian engineer and a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air National Guard. She embodies the church’s spirit of service.
Galbraith African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has been a beacon of hope. It has been a center for education and a place of spiritual guidance. It continues to thrive. It enriches the fabric of Washington D.C.