Mount Pleasant in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Avenue of Churches
Village in the City
— Mount Pleasant Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 14, 2021
To your left is Canaan Baptist Church. Its relocation here from Georgia Avenue in 1963 was the fulfillment of pastor Rev. M. Cecil Mills's dream to preside over the first African American church on this avenue of churches. The congregation paraded from their old church to the new and celebrated for an entire month.
Canaan Baptist replaced Gunton-Temple Memorial Presbyterian Church, whose white congregation had moved to Bethesda, Maryland. Like many white Washingtonians in the period following World War II, they left because of school desegregation and also because the suburbs offered newer housing.
Just across 16th Street is St. Stephen and the Incarnation, known as the first racially integrated Episcopal Church in the city. During the controversial tenure of Father William Wendt (1960-1978), St. Stephen's also became, known for its political activism. Father Wendt came under fire in 1967 for inviting civil rights activist H. Rap Brown to speak in the church. In 1974 he was censured by Episcopal Church leaders for permitting a woman to celebrate the Eucharist before the practice was accepted.
During the riots following the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination in 1968, St. Stephen's distributed emergency food and supplies.
The Northbrook Apartments across Newton Street were built in 1916 by prolific developer Harry Wardman, known for his blocks of substantial rowhouses and grand apartment buildings. As you walk to Sign 6, be sure to notice two of Mount Pleasant's original wood frame houses: 1626 and 1640 Newton Street.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Women. In addition, it is included in the Mount Pleasant Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.
Location. 38° 55.993′ N, 77° 2.193′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Mount Pleasant. Marker is at the intersection of 16th Street Northwest and Newton Place Northwest when traveling south on 16th Street Northwest. Marker is in front of Canaan Baptist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3360 16th St NW, Washington DC 20010, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Elder Spirit (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Growing Strong (about 400 feet away); Mount Pleasant: The Immigrants' Journey (about 600 feet away); Sacred Heart Academy
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 14, 2021
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 14, 2021
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 14, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on July 12, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.