Saint Stephens Episcopal Church

In 1957, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Washington D.C. made a bold move. It became the first church in the Washington Episcopal Diocese to integrate its congregation. This decision marked a turning point for Saint Stephen’s. It set the stage for its deep involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Many white congregants left the neighborhood during this time. But those who supported integration stayed. They embraced the growing Black community. The arrival of Reverend William Wendt in 1960 further solidified the church’s commitment to racial justice. Rev. Wendt’s activism extended beyond the church walls. He joined the Freedom Riders in 1961. He led a delegation of D.C. clergy to march from Selma to Montgomery with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965. Saint Stephen’s became a hub for social action. It hosted a Black Power rally in 1967 featuring Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee chair H. Rap Brown. Just hours after Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, Saint Stephen’s held the first requiem eucharist for the slain leader in D.C. The church’s commitment to social justice continued into the 1970s. The congregation tore down its parish house to make way for affordable housing. The Urban Village Apartments opened in 1978. They still provide affordable housing for low-income residents. Beyond its activism, Saint Stephen’s also played a key role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. In 1976, parishioners John Fortunato and Wayne Schwandt planned to hold a holy union ceremony at the church. Although the Episcopal Church had not yet formally approved such ceremonies, the couple’s intention sparked wider conversations about LGBTQ+ inclusion within the church. Today, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church continues its legacy of service and inclusion. It houses numerous community organizations. These organizations address a variety of needs, from feeding the hungry to supporting the arts. The Loaves and Fishes program, operating since the late 1960s, provides meals on weekends and holidays when other soup kitchens are closed. Other organizations housed within the church’s walls include the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador, Girls Rock! DC, HacDC, the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project, Thrive DC, We Are Family, and Words, Beats & Life. Saint Stephen’s stands as a testament to the power of faith and action. It’s a place where social justice, community service, and spiritual growth intertwine.