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

First Baptist Church, Georgetown

2624 Dumbarton Street, NW

— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —

First Baptist Church, Georgetown Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 27, 2010

1. First Baptist Church, Georgetown Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The first Baptist church established in Georgetown was funded in 1862 by the Reverend Sandy Alexander (1818-1902), a former slave who led the church until 1889. Among the founding members was Collins Williams, a preacher from Fredericksburg, Virginia, who with his wife Betsey had been leading religious meetings in private homes. Rev. Alexander’s congregation, expanded by the arrival of a group from Fredericksburg, first met in a small frame structure known as “the Ark” on land at 29th and O Streets, donated by the Williamses. In 1882, congregants laid the cornerstone for the current building, financing it in part with the proceeds of Rev. Alexander’s speaking tour through the northern states.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 38° 54.457′ N, 77° 3.341′ W. Marker is in Northwest

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Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. Marker is at the intersection of Dumbarton Street Northwest and 27th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east on Dumbarton Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2624 Dumbarton Street Northwest, Washington DC 20007, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Epiphany Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Margaret Peters and Roumania Peters Walker Rose Park Tennis Courts (within shouting distance of this marker); Rose Park Recreation Center (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Margaret Peters and Roumania Peters Walker (about 400 feet away); Herring Hill (about 700 feet away); Before the 1800s (about 700 feet away); During the years following the Civil War (about 700 feet away); Mount Zion United Methodist Church and Heritage Center, and the Female Union Band Cemetery (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

More about this marker.
[Photo caption:]
Members of First Baptist Church, Georgetown, 1930s
First Baptist Church Georgetown

Also see . . .
1. First Baptist Church, Georgetown: "Our History". (Submitted on July 30, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. First Baptist Church, Georgetown, African American Heritage Trail. (Submitted on December 22, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

"First Baptist Church, Georgetown, DC" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 27, 2010

2. "First Baptist Church, Georgetown, DC"

First Baptist Church, Georgetown Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 27, 2010

3. First Baptist Church, Georgetown Markers

First Baptist Church, Georgetown image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 27, 2010

4. First Baptist Church, Georgetown

First Baptist Church, Georgetown HABS marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 8, 2015

5. First Baptist Church, Georgetown HABS marker

W. D. Abrams Annex at the First Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 12, 2016

6. W. D. Abrams Annex at the First Baptist Church

This additional marker is along the western side of the church on 27th St., NW and reads: W. D. Abrams Annex, First Baptist Church, Georgetown, dedicates this building in memory of its ninth pastor, Wellington D. Abrams, who served this church faithfully from 1963 to 1988., C.J. Malloy, Jr. Pastor, November 16, 1997

Rev. Sandy Alexander image. Click for full size.

The Washington Post

7. Rev. Sandy Alexander

This image of the Reverend Sandy Alexander appeared in the Washington Post on February 16, 1896 in an article entitled Patriarch Of His Race: Rev. Sandy Alexander Has Rightly Earned That Title.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,314 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 30, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 5. submitted on October 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 6. submitted on September 12, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 7. submitted on February 27, 2022, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.