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

Metropolitan AME Church

1518 M Street, NW

— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —

Metropolitan AME Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, July 25, 2008

1. Metropolitan AME Church Marker

Inscription. This church started on Capitol Hill in 1821 as Israel Bethel, was founded by African Americans denouncing White racism at Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church. Later, Pastor Henry McNeal Turner helped persuade President Lincoln to accept Black soldiers into the Union Army during the Civil War. In 1870 Israel Bethel merged with Union Bethel to become Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, the “National Cathedral of African Methodism.” This building, designed by architect Samuel T. Morsell, opened in 1886. Frederick Douglass spoke in this pulpit. In addition, funerals for Douglass and Rosa Parks, and prayer services for President Bill Clinton’s inauguration, took place here.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #42 William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 38° 54.331′ N, 77° 2.133′ W. Marker is in Northwest

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Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Downtown. Marker is on M Street Northwest west of 15th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west. Marker is near the main entrance to the church, on the south side of M Street between 15th and 16th Streets Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1518 M Street Northwest, Washington DC 20005, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church (here, next to this marker); Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church (a few steps from this marker); Saint Augustine Catholic Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Howard Taft (about 400 feet away); Linotype Model 31 (about 500 feet away); Winfield Scott (about 700 feet away); Katharine Graham (about 700 feet away); This House was Occupied by Alexander Graham Bell (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

More about this marker. To the right side of the marker is a photo of the Men’s Bible Class of Metropolitan AME Church, 1920s.

Metropolitan AME Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, July 25, 2008

2. Metropolitan AME Church

The marker is near the sidewalk to the left of the main entrance to the church.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,408 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on April 24, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.