A question arises. What if a church building could tell tales of German heritage, architectural evolution, and a steadfast commitment to community? That’s precisely the story of The United Church of Christ in Washington D.C.
This church stands as a testament to the fusion of cultures. It embodies the spirit of German immigrants who sought a place to worship and connect. The United Church of Christ finds its roots in 1833 with the founding of the German United Evangelical Concordia Congregation. Locals often called it “Deutsche Concordia-Kirche”. Developer Jacob Funck designated a plot for a Lutheran church in 1768. He envisioned calling the Foggy Bottom neighborhood “Hamburg” or “Funkstown”. The church’s name echoes the “Unionskirche” tradition in Germany. Lutheran and Reformed congregations united in Germany to form a single Protestant body in some German states.
The current church building dates back to 1891. Albert Goenner and Paul Schulze designed it. They were architects active in German-American life in Washington. Schulze collaborated with Adolf Cluss on major buildings in the nation’s capital. These include the National Museum, now the Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building.
John Philip Sousa was baptized at Concordia. He was a composer and bandmaster. His mother was from the Palatinate administered by Bavaria. His father was a Portuguese immigrant. The first building dedicated in 1834. A second building was built on the same site in 1891. This is the church we see today.
Initially, all services were held in German until 1898. Then, English services began. German services stopped due to anti-German sentiment during World War I. They resumed after the war ended. By 1930, English services became more common. After World War II, an influx of postwar German immigrants and refugees led to renewed interest in German-language ministry.
In 1967, Concordia UCC, Union UMC, and Western Presbyterian Church discussed uniting. Concordia and Union joined together in Foggy Bottom on January 1, 1975. This was after months of negotiations.
German pastors are called to Washington for multi-year terms. This ensures a continuing connection with the church’s work in Germany.
The church and rectory were named to the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1978. The Joint Committee on Landmarks noted the historical and architectural significance. The Concordia United Church of Christ and Rectory stand on land continuously owned by the German congregation. This dates back to the late eighteenth century. At that time the area was known as Funkstown or Hamburg. The church exemplifies late-nineteenth-century eclectic Victorian church design. Paul Schulze and Albert Goenner designed the handsome structure. The rectory stands next door. The massive corner tower dominates the church. It anchors the corner and serves as a focal point.
The Concordia United Church of Christ and Rectory played important roles in the lives of Germans in Washington. The original church on this site was built in 1833. It was the first German church in the District of Columbia. Indeed, it was the only German church in Washington until 1846. A faction of the congregation broke away to form an English-speaking church. The present church was built in 1891-92. The elaborate façade features corbelled brickwork. The four-story corner tower dominates. The Rectory was built in 1885. It is a simple 2-story house that complements the church. It also provides a sharp contrast to that more ornate structure. It represents residential architecture popular in this city during the 1880s.
Today, The United Church of Christ continues its legacy. It is a place where history, architecture, and community converge. It stands as a symbol of faith and unity in the heart of Washington D.C.