Our History

Georgetown Baptist Church Historical Scrap Book

The church was founded by Rev. James Nelson. Rev. Nelson, although only twenty-five years of age, already had four years of experience in the Civil War as a chaplain in the 44th Virginia Regiment. A historian has recorded: "In the revival which swept through the Army of Northern Virginia, James Nelson was one of the ministers who labored and preached to them." In 1865, he came to Washington as a general missionary of the Maryland Baptist Union, and perceiving the need of a Baptist Church in Georgetown, he concentrated his efforts to that end.

On June 19th, 1866, just one year after the close of the bitter conflict between the States, Rev. James Nelson and 10 other charter members adopted the following incorporation resolution: "Whereas, after mature and prayerful consideration we believe that our usefulness and efficiency as Christians, and the interests of our Redeemer's Kingdom would be greatly increased by our organization into a distinct Baptist Church - Therefore, be it resolved, That we, invoking the aid of Almighty God, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, do now constitute ourselves into a regular Baptist Church." Subscribing to this resolution were the following charter members: Arthur M. Appler, Burr P. Nichols, J.C. Nichols, J.G. Hedgeman, James W. Haney, W.B. Brittain, Susannah Nichols, Susan Maddox, Helen M. Appler, James Nelson, and Sarah Nelson. Among these were men who had worn the Gray and men who had worn the Blue resolving to become brothers in Christ.

Few in number but filled with faith in the promise that "Wherever a few are gathered together in My name, I shall be present", the eleven with others worshipped for two years in a chapel on Market Street, the use of which was courteously granted by the Bridge Street Presbyterian Church. Rev. Nelson served as the Church's first Pastor

In 1868, a piece of land at the corner of Gay St. (now N Street) and Congress St. (now 31st Street) was given to the church by Mr. and Mrs. James Welch. This land, combined with a $5000 Legacy given by John McCutcheon, provided the church the ability to construct a frame building, with a small separate chapel or lecture room, at the north end of the lot, for use as a Sabbath School or a place to house socials. This building was dedicated and the name of the church was changed to Gay St. Baptist Church of Georgetown, D.C. on October 11, 1868. (The Picture above is of the orginal frame building.)

In 1877, the Gay St. Baptist Church of Georgetown, D.C. dropped its affiliation with the Maryland Baptist Union Association and would become a charter member of the Columbia Association of Baptist Churches of Washington, D.C.

On February 9, 1899, around one o'clock in the afternoon, the church caught fire and was destoryed with the exception of the chapel. A copy of the orginal newspaper article annoucing the fire is in the on-line scrapbook. A new building committee was formed and a contract was signed to construct a new building that met the safety standards of the time. On July 1, 1899 the cornerstone of the present edifice was laid and the name of the church changed to West Washington Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. In early 1900, the first floor of the church was ready for occupancy and the church bought a second-hand pipe organ. Three year, nine months, April 12, 1903, and $35,000 later, the new (current) church building was dedicated.

The West Washington Church of Washington, D.C. would continue to florish and grow for the next fifty-two year until, in 1955, the church would once again change its name to the Georgetown Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. The church has continued to support the Washington, D.C. area by providing a place of healing, worship, comfort, and guidance. Still located at the orginial location, the Georgetown Baptist Church now features an international congregation with 19 countries represented, along with college students from the various universities in the area.The church also supplies an English As Second Language course, Sunday Bible Study, Sunday Service, and Wednesday Night Bible Studies.

The Church has had four names during its history: The First Baptist Church of Georgetown, DC(1866), Gay Street Baptist Church of Georgetown, D.C.(1868-1899), West Washington Baptist Church of Washington, D.C.(1899-1955), and Georgetown Baptist Church(1955-present).

It has also features a large contingent of pastors: James Nelson(1866-1872), A.J. Huntington(1872-1873), George W. Beale(1873-1879), George E. Truett(1879-1881), Joseph Walker(1881-1883), James L. Lodge(1883-1886), George W. McCullough(1886-1891), W.S.O. Thomas(1891-1900), George E. Truett(interimed 1900-1901), Cornelius C. Coleman(1901-1905), Clarence P. Stealey(1905-1909), Benjamin D. Gaw(1909-1917), William R. Flannagan(1917-1923), Charles B. Austin(1923-1952), Walter O. Kersey(1952-1957), J. Parks Hackney(1957-1967), Paul L. Merritts(1967-1983), Richard G. Shaw(1983-Present)