Capitol Hill Baptist Church facts for kids

The Capitol Hill Baptist Church is a Baptist church located on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. It's a place where people gather to worship and learn about their faith. The main leader, called the senior pastor, is Mark Dever. This church is also connected to a larger group of churches known as the Southern Baptist Convention.

Capitol Hill Baptist Church

The Capitol Hill Baptist Church is a well-known church in the heart of Washington D.C. It's close to important government buildings, which gives it a special place in the city.

What is a Baptist Church?

A Baptist church is a type of Christian church. People who are Baptists believe that faith is a personal choice. They often baptize people by fully dipping them in water, usually when they are old enough to understand their faith. Baptist churches are usually independent, but many choose to join larger groups, like the Southern Baptist Convention, to work together on missions and other projects.

Where is it Located?

This church is found on Capitol Hill. This area is famous for being home to the United States Capitol Building, where the U.S. Congress meets. Being in Washington D.C. means the church is in the nation's capital city.

Who is the Pastor?

The current senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church is Mark Dever. A pastor is like a spiritual leader for the church community. They teach, guide, and care for the people who attend the church.

A Look at Its History

The story of Capitol Hill Baptist Church goes back many years, showing how it grew from a small group to the church it is today.

Starting Small: The Early Years

The church's journey began in 1867. A group of people living on Capitol Hill started meeting to pray. They hoped to create a new church in their neighborhood. About a decade later, in 1878, their dream came true, and the church officially started. It was first known as the Metropolitan Baptist Church. When it first opened, it had 31 members.

Growing Big, Then Smaller

Over the next few years, the church began to grow. By 1912, they had built a new main hall for their services. A pastor named Dr. John Compton Ball led the church during a time of great growth. By 1950, the number of members had reached into the thousands! However, after this peak, the membership slowly started to decrease. By the early 1990s, the church had about one hundred people attending.

New Growth Today

In more recent years, the Capitol Hill Baptist Church has seen a new period of growth. It has become a much larger church again, welcoming many new members.