Adams Morgan in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ambassadors of Faith
Roads to Diversity
— Adams Morgan Heritage Trail —
Three dramatic religious structures dominate this corner. They are among some 40 religious institutions lining 16th Street between the White House and the Maryland state line.
Many serve as unofficial “embassies” representing the interests of their faiths before the U.S. Government. The neo-Baroque National Baptist Church, to your right, is a memorial to Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island and champion of religious liberty. Its congregation has long worked for social justice and community betterment. The Carlos Rosario Public Charter School (1970) and the Academy of Hope (1980), both schools for immigrant and low-income populations, have met here.
The Peace King Center of the Unification Church, to your left, home to the followers of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon since 1977, was originally the Washington Chapel, Church of Latter-Day Saints. Completed in 1933 with some 16,000 blocks of marble brought from Utah, it drew from the modern style of the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. The church moved to Kensington, Maryland in the 1970s.
All Souls Church dates from 1877, and its current neo-Georgian building dates from 1924. Among its many famous congregants were President William Howard Taft and Senator Adlai Stevenson. In March 1965 its pastor, Rev. James Reeb, demonstrated the church’s commitment to social justice by joining a voting rights march in Selma, Alabama. There he was murdered by White opponents. Reeb’s death contributed to the national outcry against racism that helped pass President Lyndon Johnson’s Voting Rights Act just a few days later.
Erected 2005 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Adams Morgan Heritage Trail, the Former U.S. Presidents: #27 William Howard Taft, the Former U.S. Presidents: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson, and the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1965.
Location. 38° 55.545′ N, 77° 2.196′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Adams Morgan. Marker is on 16th Street, NW just south of Harvard Street, NW, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Social Justice (a few steps from this marker); Las Bicicletas (within shouting distance of this marker); Pancho Villa Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain!
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), circa December 30, 2022
More about this marker. [Caption, picture in upper right]:
Washington churches on the hill overlook the city, 1935.
[Caption, picture in center]:
As All Souls Church’s first Black senior minister, Rev. David Eaton (1932-1992) led the church in social activism and service.
[Caption, picture on right, center]:
Demonstrators march from All Souls Church to protest the martyrdom of Rev. James Reeb, left, 1965.
[Clipping of Washington Post article (March 11, 1965) re: the assault on Rev. James J. Reeb in Alabama.]
[Caption, picture on left, below center]:
Academy of Hope graduate Lisa McBride and son.
[Caption, picture group on lower left]:
All Soul’s Parishioners, President William Howard Taft, left, and Senator Adlai Stevenson.
Additional commentary.
1. Stevenson
The Adlai Stevenson pictured was never a Senator--rather a Governor and not a resident of the District. His son, Adlai III, was a Senator.His grandfather, Adlai I, was a Congressman and Cleveland's VP.
— Submitted April 7, 2012, by Charles Nau of Washington, District of Columbia.
Additional keywords. Family Federation of World Peace and Unification; FFWPU; Mount Pleasant; Columbia Heights; Unitarian Universalism
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,407 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on July 2, 2020, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on March 16, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 30, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 16, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 8, 9, 10. submitted on May 11, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.