Nestled in Arlington, Virginia, stands Walker Chapel Methodist Church. What stories do its walls hold?
Walker Chapel’s story is one of change and tradition. This chapel is home to one of the earliest church congregations in Arlington County. The original Walker Chapel was built in 1871. This was six years after the Civil War ended. It was also a year after Arlington County’s occupation by the Union Army ended.
Robert and James Walker donated the land for the chapel. Their father, David Walker, was buried in the adjacent Walker Family Grave Yard. Initially, it was a junior church of the Mount Olivet Circuit.
The original building was simple. It had a single room frame structure with a small belfry and basement. It sat near the upper part of the graveyard. A new church was built at the cemetery’s opposite end in 1903. Additions followed in 1952 and 1954. These included an education and administrative building. The original chapel served as Sunday School classrooms. This was before its demolition in 1930.
Extensive renovations took place in 1999. These renovations resulted in the stately white brick church. It stands today as Walker Chapel.
Walker Chapel has a mission. It wants to befriend, nurture, and serve all of God’s children. Building on its heritage, Walker Chapel commits to equity. This includes diversity and inclusiveness. Intentional intergenerational engagement is part of this. Walker Chapel seeks to provide meaningful ministries. These are for its community near and far. It fulfills its connexional obligations to the United Methodist Church.
Walker Chapel embraces diversity. It values the wholeness made possible in community. This community is equally shared and shepherded by all. All are welcome at Walker Chapel. This includes people of every gender identity and expression. Also welcomed are people of every sexual orientation, age, race, and ethnicity. People of every physical and mental ability are welcome. So are people of every level of education and family structure. People of every economic, immigration, marital, and social status are welcome too.
Walker Chapel acknowledges the world’s inequities. As followers of Jesus, it commits to justice. It pledges to stand in solidarity with the marginalized and oppressed. As a Reconciling Congregation, Walker Chapel is intentionally safe. LGBTQ+ persons and allies are welcome. They can worship and serve together. Everyone is welcome. This is in keeping with sacred scriptures. It is also in keeping with the Creativity of our universal God. The saving Grace of Jesus Christ is for all. The continuous Presence of the Holy Spirit embraces everyone at Walker Chapel.
Walker Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery is located here. Birth and death years are unknown for many.
The Chapel is an Arlington County Historic District. Its rich history stretches back to the early 1800s.
So, as you stand before Walker Chapel, remember its journey. From a simple frame structure to a stately brick church, it stands as a beacon of faith. It embraces diversity and commits to justice for all.