Ebenezer United Methodist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ebenezer United Methodist Church |
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| Denomination | Methodist |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Little Ebenezer United Methodist Church |
| Founded | 1838 |
Ebenezer United Methodist Church is a very old and important church in Washington, D.C.. It was started way back in 1838! This church is special because it was the first place in Washington, D.C., where the government helped open a school for African American students.
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How Ebenezer Church Started
Ebenezer United Methodist Church began in 1838. It was first known as Little Ebenezer United Methodist Church, or just Little Ebenezer. It grew out of a bigger church called Methodist Episcopal Church.
Back then, the Methodist Episcopal Church had separate seating areas for Black and white church members. The number of African American members grew too big for their space. So, with help from the main church, they started Little Ebenezer United Methodist Church. It was built at Fourth and D Street, S.E., in the Capitol Hill area. The first church building was small and made of wood.
In the 1860s, Little Ebenezer became fully independent. It set up its own leadership team, made up of African American trustees.
A Special School for Students
The First Government-Sponsored School
In March 1864, something very important happened at the church. The Washington, D.C., government opened a school inside the church building. This school was for African American students of all ages. It was the first school in Washington, D.C., that the government supported for African American students.
Who Taught at the School?
The first teachers at this new school were Emma V. Brown and Frances W. Perkins. Ms. Perkins came to Washington from Boston. She was sent by a group called the New England Freedmen's Aid Society.
A New School Building
Soon, so many students wanted to learn that the church building became too small. Ms. Perkins went back North and raised money to build a new school. A piece of land was bought on C Street, between 2nd and 3rd Streets, SE. The new school building was finished in the winter of 1864. This school was later named Lincoln School. It continued to teach students until 1947.
New Name and New Building
In 1870, Little Ebenezer United Methodist Church changed its name. It became Ebenezer United Methodist Church. In the same year, work began on a new church building. This new building was made of brick and replaced the older, smaller wooden one. The new church was finished by 1873. The person who designed the building was an architect named William J. Palmer.
Ebenezer Church Today
As of 2021, Ebenezer United Methodist Church is still open and active. It continues to be an important part of its community.
