WINDOW TO HEAVEN: BLACK HISTORY MONTH
I photographed the windows of four historically Black churches in the DC area. Church window ornamentation is particularly important as the windows are considered the “window to heaven” and can convey stories, emotions, and wealth. I also wanted everyone to learn a little about each church’s history and significance with me.
FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH
The church was first organized in 1875 and was known as Virginia Avenue Baptist Church. It is the oldest African American Baptist congregation in the Southeast. They changed name to Friendship Baptist in 1905 to coincide with its move to its current location 734 First Street, SW. Among the organizations to meet at the church during its first decades were the First Washington Baptist Association, the Good Samaritans Lodge, the DC Republicans, and the Board of Managers of the proposed Colored National University.
The church was first organized in 1875 and was known as Virginia Avenue Baptist Church. It is the oldest African American Baptist congregation in the Southeast. They changed name to Friendship Baptist in 1905 to coincide with its move to its current location 734 First Street, SW. Among the organizations to meet at the church during its first decades were the First Washington Baptist Association, the Good Samaritans Lodge, the DC Republicans, and the Board of Managers of the proposed Colored National University.
METROPOLITAN AFRICAN AMERICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
This church is another of D.C.’s oldest Black churches and was founded in 1838 as a merger of Israel Bethel and Union Bethel A.M.E. protesting segregation in their congregations. The building also served as a location for Black education and political meetings. The funerals of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, the first African American U.S. Senator, Blanche Bruce, and civil-rights activist Rosa Parks were all held in the church. Most recently the church’s Black Lives Matter banner was stolen on January 4, 2021 by a group from the white supremacist organization the Proud Boys.
This church is another of D.C.’s oldest Black churches and was founded in 1838 as a merger of Israel Bethel and Union Bethel A.M.E. protesting segregation in their congregations. The building also served as a location for Black education and political meetings. The funerals of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, the first African American U.S. Senator, Blanche Bruce, and civil-rights activist Rosa Parks were all held in the church. Most recently the church’s Black Lives Matter banner was stolen on January 4, 2021 by a group from the white supremacist organization the Proud Boys.
SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH
The church was organized by white members in 1804 in Fredericksburg, VA and had both free and enslaved Black members. In 1854, it was sold to Black members. It was used as a hospital during the civil war. The congregation made the move to its current location 1500 9th St NW in 1924.
The church was organized by white members in 1804 in Fredericksburg, VA and had both free and enslaved Black members. In 1854, it was sold to Black members. It was used as a hospital during the civil war. The congregation made the move to its current location 1500 9th St NW in 1924.
MT. ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The church was founded on October 16, 1816—originally located at 27th St, NW—and is the oldest Black congregation in Washington, D.C. Notably, during the Civil War, it was a stop on the Underground Railroad, and it was also a place for the Black community to get an education including learning to read and write until 1862. In 1884, a growing population led to the change to its current location 1334 29th St NW, while the original location became the Mount Zion Cemetery and Female Union Band Society Cemetery.
The church was founded on October 16, 1816—originally located at 27th St, NW—and is the oldest Black congregation in Washington, D.C. Notably, during the Civil War, it was a stop on the Underground Railroad, and it was also a place for the Black community to get an education including learning to read and write until 1862. In 1884, a growing population led to the change to its current location 1334 29th St NW, while the original location became the Mount Zion Cemetery and Female Union Band Society Cemetery.