“May this sanctuary long remain a house of prayer for all people.” These words echo from the cornerstone laid in 1917. Today, we stand before Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church. This is a place with a rich, complex history.
Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church started with 50 members. They gathered in 1850. They shared proslavery beliefs. This was a time of deep division in the Methodist Church. The church split over the issue of slavery in 1844.
Efforts to build a grand church began soon after. The goal was a representative building. Finally, the cornerstone was laid on October 8, 1917. Hundreds joined their voices in prayer.
Mount Vernon Place did not always live up to its goal. It took years to welcome and include all people. The church has a history rooted in white supremacy. In 2017, members repented for these roots. They held a worship service and signed a banner. The banner hung outside as a public statement.
Mount Vernon Place has a long history of outreach. The church met material needs in the community. It was the first to establish a Social Welfare department. Its social work matched the level of other agencies in Washington. During the Great Depression, many turned to Mount Vernon Place for help. Food and clothing closets opened in the late 1930s. Volunteers went to Lorton Reformatory and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. They also created a summer camp for children in Erica, Virginia. The Mount Vernon Players, a theatre group, performed in the Undercroft Auditorium.
Membership grew to 4,541 by 1960. This made Mount Vernon Place the largest congregation. It was the largest in the Northeastern Jurisdiction of the Methodist Church.
The 1960s brought struggles. Cities and the nation faced challenges. Mount Vernon Place also suffered. The congregation declined after the unrest in Washington. This followed the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. By the turn of the 21st century, only about 50 active members remained. Their average age was 82.
In 2005, the church voted to sell a portion of its property. This was by the grace of God. In 2006, the congregation moved out. They worshipped across the street in the former Carnegie Library. In 2008, they returned to the renovated historic building. A new addition was dedicated in 2009. It was located within a trophy office building. The property sale allowed the entire 1917 building to be renovated. The church then purchased space in the new office tower. This space was for classrooms, offices, and gathering.
The congregation became involved in urban renewal. They supported people experiencing homelessness. This continues today. The Shower Ministry began in 2010. The church opened its doors for neighbors. They received toiletries, undergarments, breakfast, community, and showers. The children’s ministry was reborn in 2008.
In 2009, the congregation joined the Reconciling Ministries Network. This proclaimed welcome to all people. This especially included LGBTQ+ siblings.
Today, Mount Vernon Place is a vibrant congregation. It gathers in the building and online. Most members have joined since 2005. Eight members have entered seminary. They are responding to a call to ministry. Lives have been touched and transformed. The congregation learns from its full history. It seeks to be a real factor in people’s lives.
Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church stands as a testament. It stands for resilience, repentance, and renewal. It’s a beacon of hope. It is committed to serving all.