Lincoln Temple United Church of Christ facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lincoln Industrial Mission-
Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church |
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Lincoln Temple United Church of Christ in 2023
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 Location in Washington, D.C.
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| Location | 1701 11th St., NW Washington, D.C. |
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| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Howard Wright Cutler |
| Part of | Greater U Street Historic District (ID93001129) |
| NRHP reference No. | 95000163 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1995 |
Lincoln Temple United Church of Christ was a historic church in Washington, D.C.. It was located in the Shaw neighborhood. The church was first known as the Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church. Its building, finished in 1928, is a special historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. The church is also part of the city's African-American Heritage Trail.
Over time, fewer people attended the church. This was because the neighborhood changed. The church held its last service on September 30, 2018.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
The story of Lincoln Temple began with the Lincoln Industrial Mission. This mission was started after the American Civil War. It helped people by offering education and social support. The mission building was built between 1868 and 1869.
In 1880, ten members from another church started the Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church. This new church began at the mission. Later, in 1901, this church joined with Park Temple Congregational Church. Together, they became Lincoln Temple United Church of Christ.
Important Moments and People
Many important events happened at Lincoln Temple. The American Negro Academy (ANA) was formed there in 1897. This was the first major group for African-American thinkers in the United States. It was started by Rev. Alexander Crummell and other smart people. Their first meeting was held at the church.
Walter B. Hayson, one of the ANA founders, led the church choir. Famous musicians like Jessye Norman, Marian Anderson, and Roberta Flack sang at the church. Important speakers and scholars, such as Julian Bond and Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., also spoke from its pulpit.
Many church members were active during the Civil Rights Movement. In August 1963, people attending the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom were allowed to stay in the church's hall. After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968, riots happened in Washington, D.C. During this time, the church gave out clothes and food to people in the neighborhood. Church leaders were very involved in working for social justice. For example, minister Channing Emery Phillips helped lead groups working for fairness in D.C. He also supported the idea of D.C. having full control over its own government.
Because of its long history and importance, Lincoln Temple is listed on the city's African-American Heritage Trail.
Why the Church Closed
The Washington Post newspaper suggested that the church's decline began in 1994. This was when its longtime pastor, Rev. Benjamin E. Lewis, retired. Also, the neighborhoods around the church, Shaw and Logan Circle, changed a lot. In 1990, about 65% of the people living there were African-American. By 2010, this number dropped to 29%.
The church tried to attract new members from the changing neighborhood. It became an "open and affirming" church, welcoming everyone. It even hosted Saturday evening concerts with the National Symphony and the Gay Men's Chorus. However, people who came for the concerts often did not return for Sunday services.
New rules about parking on Sundays were also mentioned as a reason for fewer people attending church.
Building Design
The church building you see today was designed by Howard Wright Cutler. It was built in the Italian Romanesque Revival style and finished in 1928. The building has a main hall with arched windows, similar to old Roman churches. The outside walls are made of different colored bricks. The roof has a pointed shape called a gable.
The front of the church has a large round window called a rose window. Below it is a covered walkway with arches. This walkway has stone columns with fancy tops that look like plants. It also has a decorative band called a frieze and a tile roof. This beautiful building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
