Navy Yard in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Saint Paul African Union Methodist Protestant (AUMP) Church
401 I Street SE
— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2018
1. Saint Paul African Union Methodist Protestant (AUMP) Church Marker
The St. Paul African Union Methodist Protestant (AUMP) Church is the first and only church in Washington, DC that evolved from what is considered the oldest incorporated, independent African American denomination in the country. The AUMP Church, founded in Wilmington, Delaware in 1805 by the formerly enslaved Peter Spencer (1782-1843), was incorporated in 1813, some three years before the more prevalent African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. The St. Paul AUMP Church was built in 1924 and designed by Romulus C. Archer, Jr. (1890-1968), the second African American architect to be registered in the District of Columbia. The St. Paul AUMP Church is the only surviving house of worship from the predominantly African American community that was once located between the Capitol and the Navy Yard. Most of this northern Navy Yard neighborhood, which started developing in the early 19th century, was razed in the late 1930s and early 1940s for public housing that was subsequently replaced by the housing seen today.
This plaque is dedicated to Pastor Karen Mills (1960-2014), a gifted and loving spiritual leader, who was instrumental in attaining historical status for the church.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series.
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Location. 38° 52.756′ N, 77° 0.021′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Navy Yard. Marker is on I Street Southeast east of 4th Street Southeast, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 I Street Southeast, Washington DC 20003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Walk on the Canal (approx. 0.2 miles away); One of DC's Oldest Neighborhoods (approx. 0.2 miles away); Switching Yard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Washington Navy Yard and Annex (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1830 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Railroad Freight Car Truck and Tracks (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1817
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2018
2. Saint Paul African Union Methodist Protestant (AUMP) Church Marker
Also see . . .
1. St. Paul African Union Methodist Protestant Church. Cultural Tourism DC website entry (Submitted on February 5, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
2. St. Paul AUMP Church Celebrates 90 Years Of Neighborhood Continuity. Arthur Capper website entry (Submitted on February 5, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
3. St. Paul AUMP Church : A Church With a Rich History Fighting for Thier Future. YouTube video (Submitted on February 5, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Additional keywords. Black Methodism
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 430 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
