Mount Vernon Square in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"Sweet Daddy" Grace
Midcity at the Crossroads
— Shaw Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 16, 2009
1. “Sweet Daddy” Grace Marker
Along this block is the world headquarters of the United House of Prayer for All People. Founded in 1919 in Massachusetts by Charles M. “Sweet Daddy” Grace, the church moved its headquarters to Washington in 1926. Soon after, it purchased a mansion where the church is today. The mansion had housed Frelinghuysen University, a night school headed by noted educator Anna J. Cooper.
Bishop Grace’s mass baptisms were legendary. One year he baptized 208 people in front of 15,000 onlookers here on M Street, with water provided by local fire fighters. At the time of the flamboyant, charismatic evangelist’s death in 1960, his church claimed three million members in 14 states. Bishop Grace was succeeded by Bishop Walter McCollough, who expanded the church’s political influence. Under McCollough, the church purchased and built hundreds of units of affordable housing in Shaw and Southeast, as well as in North Carolina and Connecticut. The church is also known for its Saints Paradise Cafeteria, community service, music and outreach to the poor.
Over time nearly two dozen religious congregations have settled in Shaw. Congregations often traded spaces as their numbers grew or shrank, or they followed their membership to the suburbs. Along the trail you will see current and former houses of worship for Islam, A.M.E.
this page online
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 13.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church, and the Shaw Heritage Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.
Location. 38° 54.343′ N, 77° 1.216′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Mount Vernon Square. Marker is on M Street Northwest west of 6th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 M Street Northwest, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Reaching for Equality (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Seventh Street Develops (about 700 feet away); To Market, To Market (about 700 feet away); The Place to Shop (about 700 feet away); Roots of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral / Remembering "the Village" (about 700 feet away); Immaculate Conception Catholic School (approx. 0.2 miles away); History in a House
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 27, 2016
2. “Sweet Daddy” Grace Marker reverse
More about this marker. Photo captions:
Bishop Charles M. “Sweet Daddy” Grace preaches from an open car on M Street, around 1950. (United House of Prayer for All People.)
This Second Empire style mansion was the original church headquarters, 1950. Grace Magazine, left, distilled the evangelist’s message. (United House of Prayer for All People.)
Bishop McCollough, center, leads a groundbreaking for a church expansion. (United House of Prayer for All People.)
The decorated Bishop’s House, North Portal Drive, NW, a Christmas season local landmark.
(Washingtoniana Division, D.C. Public Library.)
Mourners watch as Bishop Grace’s casket is removed from of sic the original United House of Prayer on this block. (Washingtoniana Division, D.C. Public Library.)
Also see . . .
1. United House of Prayer for All People. (Submitted on February 20, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Charles M. "Daddy" Grace (1881-1960).
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 27, 2016
3. “Sweet Daddy” Grace Marker
Additional keywords. Marcelino Manuel da Graça; Cape Verdean Americans.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 27, 2016
4. “Sweet Daddy” Grace Marker
The Saints Paradise Cafeteria can be seen in the background in this view to the west.
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 16, 2009
5. United House of Prayer for All People
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 14, 2013
6. Bishop Dr. Walter McColloch
1915 - 1991
1915 - 1991
Stained glass window at Fort Lincoln Cemetery Mausoleum.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 5,848 times since then and 69 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on February 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 27, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 5. submitted on February 19, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 6. submitted on October 27, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
