Preston Washington facts for kids

Preston Robert Washington (born August 26, 1948 – died June 25, 2003) was an important minister at Memorial Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. He helped start the Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI). Through HCCI, he brought in millions of dollars for new homes and shops in Harlem from 1986 to 2001.

Early Life and Education

Washington was born in Manhattan, New York. He grew up in Spanish Harlem and went to public schools. He then attended Williams College, graduating in 1970 with the highest honors. While at Williams, he was part of a social and literary club called St. Anthony Hall.

After Williams College, he went to Union Theological Seminary. There, he earned a master's degree. He also received a doctorate in education from Columbia University's Teacher's College.

Career as a Minister

In 1976, Preston Washington became the main minister at Memorial Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. He served there until he passed away in 2003. Under his leadership, the church grew to 1,500 members. Many politicians often visited the church.

Helping the Harlem Community

In 1986, Washington co-founded the Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI) with Canon Frederick B. Williams. HCCI was a group of 90 churches that worked together to build homes and provide services. Washington served as the president and CEO of HCCI.

HCCI played a big part in helping Harlem recover during the tough years of the 1980s and early 1990s. They spent $200 million in the Bradhurst area of Harlem, creating 1,300 new homes. This included a project called House of Hope, which built homes for single parents and their children who were experiencing homelessness. HCCI also helped set up thirty new shops in Harlem.

HCCI also spent $1.7 million to support programs for people facing health challenges. This included education and prevention efforts. Washington believed that churches should do more than just offer food or care packages. He wanted them to help people gain skills and improve their lives.

Welcoming Tourists

Washington encouraged his church members to welcome tourists who came by bus to hear gospel music. The money these tourists donated helped to fix up the church. Washington even planned the church service so that his sermon would happen after the tourists, many of whom did not speak English, had left. In 1996, he told NPR that members joked their church was a "European church" on Sunday mornings and a "secret black church" during the week.

Broader Community Role

Washington also expanded the church's role to include managing three local parks and a job skills training program. He preached in other countries like China, Cuba, and South Korea. He also served on the boards of several important organizations, including the Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, the Boys Choir of Harlem, and the Consortium for Central Harlem Development.

Honors and Recognition

• To honor Washington, W.115th Street in New York City, where Memorial Baptist Church is located, was renamed Bishop Preston R. Washington, Sr. Place.
• Washington received a special Bicentennial Medal from Williams College.
• In 2001, Washington appeared as himself on Emeril, a TV show on NBC.

Personal Life

Preston Washington married Renee Frances Washington, who also became a minister and helped at Memorial Baptist Church. They had five sons together: Brandon, Devon, Jamel, Nicholas, and Preston Jr. They also adopted two sons, Keith Gay and Jonathan R. Staples. The family lived in New Rochelle, New York.

In 2003, Washington passed away at a medical center in Manhattan from heart failure. He was 54 years old.

In 2004, Reverend Renee Washington was chosen to take over as the main minister of Memorial Baptist Church, following her husband.