Union Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

In 1844, a small group of determined individuals planted the seeds of faith that would blossom into the Union Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. They yearned for religious freedom, a sanctuary away from the racial prejudice they faced at Mt. Zion Methodist Church. So, they began holding services in Gassaway Waters’ home at 28th and Olive Avenue, NW. The Union Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church’s roots were humble, nurtured by the courageous spirit of Gassaway Waters, Isaac Johnson, Charles Simmons, Carl Carusoe, Charity Wilson, and Eliza Wilson. Their numbers quickly grew, outgrowing the confines of a private home. They found a new space on 23rd Street, between L and M Streets, NW. Tragedy struck when their framed houses of worship were destroyed by fire, a stark reminder of the prevailing racial prejudice of the time. Undeterred, their faith remained unshaken. A young Black architect named Calvin Brent, a beacon of hope within their community, designed and built a new church on the very same site in 1848. This two-story red brick structure was later dedicated as the Second Colored Wesleyan Church. For years, the church thrived independently. Then, on August 26, 1884, it officially joined the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Under the leadership of Reverend Wallace Brown, its first pastor within the AME Zion Church, the church received its current name: Union Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. In 1919, a parsonage was added to the church property on 23rd Street. The Union Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church wasn’t just a place of worship. It served as a vital stop on the Underground Railroad. Congregation members, including B. F. Grant, along with prominent figures like Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, helped guide escaping slaves to freedom. Within the church walls, slaves learned carpentry, a valuable skill that would aid them in their new lives. By 1967, urban renewal shifted the demographics of the neighborhood, prompting many residents to relocate. Under the guidance of Reverend Dr. George L. Smith, who became pastor in 1960, the congregation made the momentous decision to relocate as well. They found a new home in the Avondale community of Northeast Washington, D.C., at 1860 Michigan Avenue, NE. This is where the Union Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church continues to thrive today. From its humble beginnings to its current location, the Union Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith, resilience, and the pursuit of equality.