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

Canaan Baptist Church

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones, July 6, 2026

1. Canaan Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Organized Feb. 4, 1947
Dedicated June 30, 1963
Rev. M. Cecil Mills, D.D., Founder

Erected by Canaan Baptist Church.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is June 30, 1963.

Location. 38° 55.996′ N, 77° 2.201′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Mount Pleasant. It is at the intersection of 16th Street Northwest and Newton Street Northwest on 16th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1600 Newton St NW, Washington DC 20010, 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 the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Avenue of Churches (a few steps

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from 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 (about 600 feet away); Casualties Arriving at Mount Pleasant General Hospital, May 1864 (about 600 feet away); Village Life (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Also see . . . History page on Canaan Baptist Church's site.

United Together
On February 4, 1947, New Bethel Baptist Church opened its doors to Canaan and Rev. Mills delivered a touching sermon. Four believers were baptized: Earl Payne, Earl Brown, Doris Roebuck and William Foster. These four with Willie Armwood from Hills Chapel Baptist Church, Faison, N.C., A. Clarence Edwards from Mt. Rainier Baptist Church, Florence, S.C. and Helen Rogers from First Baptist Church, Richmond, VA, went into a meeting presided over by Rev. W.H. Dobbins, Evangelist of New York, and assisted by Dr. C. David Foster, Pastor of New Bethel Baptist
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 6, 2026

2. Canaan Baptist Church
Church and Rev. J.P. Nichols. In this meeting these seven organized a church and officially named it Canaan Baptist Church of Washington, DC and selected as its Pastor, the Rev. M. Cecil Mills. Bro. Willie Armwood was selected Church Clerk.

(Submitted on July 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Additional commentary.
1. About the cornerstone
While most church cornerstones do not serve as historical markers, this one does; it states who founded the congregation and when.

— Submitted July 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.