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
this page online
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail, and the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.
Location. 38° 52.756′ N, 77° 0.021′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Navy Yard. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2018
2. Saint Paul African Union Methodist Protestant (AUMP) Church Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. 1865-1869 (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
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.
Additional keywords. Black Methodism
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 888 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on March 15, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
