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Downtown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church

The National Cathedral of African Methodism

 
 
Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, June 4, 2008
1. Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church Marker
Inscription.
Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church was founded in the District of Columbia in 1838. It is the oldest A.M.E. church and the oldest continuously black-owned property in Washington, D.C. - the Nation's Capital. The church represents the merger of two other congregations, Israel Bethel A.M.E. (1821) and Union Bethel A.M.E. (1838). The latter was a stop on the Underground Railroad. These churches merged in 1870, and the present name, Metropolitan was officially designated and recognized by the General Conference of the A.M.E. Church in 1872.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church denomination, of which Metropolitan is a part, was founded in 1787 by Richard Allen in protest against segregated worship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The A.M.E. Church, which was the first African American independent religious body in the United States, was incorporated in 1816.

The cornerstone of this historic structure was laid in 1881, and the church was completed in 1886. African Methodist Episcopal members throughout the United States contributed funding to build this edifice. Their sacrificial gifts are memorialized in Metropolitan's priceless and majestic stained glass windows, which document the growth of the African Methodist Episcopal Church from 1816-1896. The historic and cultural significance of this institution
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was nationally recognized with the designation of the property as a National Historic Landmark on July 26, 1973.

Metropolitan A.M.E. Church continues to embody its deepest Christian (Methodist) covenant. It is a sanctuary, welcoming all people of worship, built to the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
Erected by Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African AmericansChurches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1787.
 
Location. 38° 54.333′ N, 77° 2.128′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Downtown. Marker is on M Street Northwest west of 15th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west. Marker is near the main entrance to the church, on the south side of M Street between 15th and 16th Streets Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1518 M Street Northwest, Washington DC 20005, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Metropolitan AME Church (a few steps from this marker); Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church (a few steps from this marker); Saint Augustine Catholic Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct
Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain
2. Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church
The plaque is at the entrance on the right.
line); William Howard Taft (about 400 feet away); Linotype Model 31 (about 500 feet away); Winfield Scott (about 700 feet away); Katharine Graham (about 700 feet away); This House was Occupied by Alexander Graham Bell (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
 
Also see . . .  Metropolitan AME Church. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on August 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.) 
 
Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 5, 2015
3. Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church Marker
The marker can be seen on the right side of the right-most entrance door, near the sidewalk.
Church Cornerstone image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, June 4, 2008
4. Church Cornerstone
The National Cathedral of African Methodism
Metropolitan African Methodist
Episcopal Church
Exterior restoration completed in the bicentennial year 1976
Bessie M. Dorsey, Chairman ∙ Robert L. Pruitt, D.D., Minister ∙ Dr. A. J. Felix, Presiding Elder ∙ Rt. Reverend Henry W. Murph, Presiding Bishop
Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Psalms 127:1
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,244 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on April 17, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on August 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.   3. submitted on September 10, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.   4. submitted on August 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

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Mar. 19, 2024