Founded in 1832 Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church stands as a testament to resilience faith and community. Located in Alexandria Virginia this church is the oldest Black Methodist Church in the state. Before 1830 Black Methodists in Alexandria attended Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. However by 1830 their numbers grew leading them to desire their own congregation. The cornerstone for Davis Chapel named after Trinity’s white minister was laid in 1832. A significant event a schism within the Methodist Church over slavery occurred in 1844. This division led to the renaming of Davis Chapel to Roberts Chapel honoring Bishop Robert Richford Roberts. Roberts Chapel served both free and enslaved Black people providing spiritual guidance and community support.
Roberts Memorial became a beacon of hope for the Black community of Alexandria and beyond. It hosted renowned speakers like Frederick Douglass and Booker T Washington. Its influence extended to the cultural political and intellectual landscape of the Washington DC area. The church wasn’t just a place of worship. It also housed one of the earliest schools for Black children and adults at a time when such education was forbidden under Virginia law. This courageous act speaks volumes about the determination of its members. In 1862 after the Federal troops occupied Alexandria during the Civil War the school was able to reopen. By 1864 the church was fully independent no longer a mission church. In 1968 Roberts Chapel became Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church as a result of the merger of Methodism ending legal segregation within the church. Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church even purchased a community building in the 1920s to host numerous activities.
The church building itself is a remarkable sight. It’s a two-story brick structure in the vernacular Gothic Revival style. Although significantly remodeled in 1894 the side walls from 1834 remain including original windows. Its ornate brick facade and stained-glass windows are a beautiful sight. The building stands as a physical symbol of enduring faith within the historic Black neighborhoods of ‘the Bottoms’ and ‘Hayti’. In 2004 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today Roberts Memorial continues its mission of service and community engagement. It’s a living monument to the strength and perseverance of its people. It stands as a powerful reminder of its historical significance a place that embodies faith community and the ongoing struggle for equality.