Remember 1885. Twenty-six earnest Christians sought fellowship and established Mount Moriah Baptist Church. The name was suggested by one of the members. All accepted it unanimously. Mount Moriah Baptist Church began humbly. The church was recognized on Monday. Pastors and delegates gathered from twelve Baptist Churches. They declared Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Washington D.C. existed.
Mount Moriah’s initial services occurred in Brother Sampson and Sister Fannie Thomas’s home. It was located at 1220 2nd Street Southwest Washington D.C. Early members included Brothers John Delaney and Sampson Thomas. Sisters Nellie Berry and Fannie Thomas also joined. Reverend Henry Scott was Mount Moriah Baptist Church’s first pastor. He led the church for seven months. He organized the first Sunday School on Sunday. It was November 8 1885. There were twelve students. Brother James Short became Sunday Church School’s first Superintendent. Reverend Scott resigned to work elsewhere.
Reverend James Clinton Dent became Mount Moriah Baptist Church’s second pastor on Friday. It was May 7 1886. He began teaching God’s word on Sunday. It was June 5 1886. The church relocated due to growing membership. It moved to its second location at 3rd and Van Streets Southwest in 1887. Mount Moriah grew numerically and financially under Reverend Dent’s leadership. They needed a larger building. In 1891 a new church was built at 2nd Street. It was between M and N Streets Southwest. The building was remodeled. By 1906 it was debt-free. Reverend Dent remained pastor for over 22 years. He died on Saturday. It was November 7 1908.
After Reverend Dent’s death, Reverend F. W. Williams was called to pastor. This was on February 11 1910. He recommended Reverend Dr. James Harvey Randolph. Dr. Randolph preached his first sermon on Sunday. It was April 3 1910. He was selected as the next pastor on Monday. This was April 11 1910. He officially began on Sunday. It was July 24 1910. Dr. Randolph revised the church structure. He enhanced the ministries. He started mid-week Sunday School Teachers’ Classes. As Executive Secretary of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, Dr. Randolph promoted missionary work.
Dr. Randolph designed Mount Moriah’s fourth building. It was at Third and L Streets Southwest. Groundbreaking occurred on Monday. It was February 18 1924. The cornerstone was laid on Friday. This was May 30 1924. The church was dedicated on Sunday. It was September 20 1925. The mortgage was paid off on Sunday. It was April 1 1951. Mount Moriah was at this location for 34 years. It was considered beautiful and historic. The Southwest redevelopment forced the church to sell the property.
On Sunday, February 2, 1958, members moved to 17th and East Capitol Streets Northeast. They purchased this location from Second Baptist Church. It cost $350000.00. Dr. Randolph served as pastor for 50 years. He died on July 6 1960 at 90. He was the Dean of Baptist Pastors in Washington D.C. Mount Moriah called Reverend Dr. Emmett Starks to serve as Associate Pastor.
Reverend Robert Gilmore Williams Sr. became the fourth pastor on Sunday. It was July 8 1962. He instituted a five-year program. It focused on spiritual growth and stewardship. Many improvements were made. Reverend Williams had a vision. He wanted the church to purchase surrounding properties. Before his death, all properties were mortgage-free. He also initiated an Expansion and Renovation Program. Reverend Williams’ twenty-five years of service ended on Friday. It was October 2 1987.
Reverend Dr. Edward A. Hailes Sr. became the fifth pastor on Sunday. It was October 23 1988. The Venture in Faith debt was paid off. Additional ministries formed including the Evangelism Ministry. Dr. Hailes supported the youth. He gave them opportunities in church activities. He established the Edward A. Hailes Sr. Scholarship Fund. In 1997 Dr. Hailes retired.
Reverend Dr. Lucius M. Dalton became the sixth pastor on New Year’s Eve. It was 1999. He was installed on Sunday. It was March 19 2000. He focused on youth and senior adults. In 2002 Mount Moriah committed to developing a mind like Christ. Mount Moriah Baptist Church has been a beacon for 139 years. It continues growing and loving.