Saint Paul United Methodist Church

Tucked away in the Navy Yard neighborhood, Saint Paul United Methodist Church has witnessed over a century of history. Saint Paul United Methodist Church stands as a testament to the resilience and faith of the African American community in Washington D.C. This isn’t just any church. It’s the only one in D.C. born from the African Union Methodist Protestant (AUMP) denomination. This denomination has deep roots, stretching back to 1813, making it the oldest incorporated, independent African American denomination in the country. The AUMP also started America’s oldest continuously celebrated African American religious festival. This festival is known as the Big Quarterly, or “August Quarterly”. It was founded in 1814. The current Saint Paul United Methodist Church building dates back to 1924. It was designed by a local architect, R.C. Archer, Jr. The church reflects the modest means of the working-class African American community it served. It was built in the industrial area surrounding the Washington Navy Yard. Saint Paul United Methodist Church is a powerful symbol. It represents the aspirations of a newly formed working-class congregation. Its simple design speaks to its humble beginnings and the surrounding neighborhood. Yet, the traditional ecclesiastical style also reveals the congregation’s pride and reverence. The church has remarkably maintained its original character. It stands as the most intact church building of its kind and era built by an African American congregation in the southeast quadrant, west of the Anacostia River. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. It stands as a reminder of a time when the Navy Yard area was a predominantly working-class African American neighborhood. The church has seen the surrounding area transform over time. In the 1940s, public housing projects reshaped the landscape. More recently, mixed-income townhomes have replaced many of the older structures. Through all these changes, Saint Paul United Methodist Church has remained a constant, a beacon of faith and community.