St. Paul AUMP Church Celebrates 90 Years of Neighborhood Continuity

Title

St. Paul AUMP Church Celebrates 90 Years of Neighborhood Continuity

Subject

St. Paul AUMP Church Celebrates 90 Years of Neighborhood Continuity

Description

Over the past decade, significant change has characterized the area south of the freeway on Capitol Hill where new buildings, parks and restuarnts seem to open up each week. Yet despite the transformation the area has at least one undeniable sign of continuity__the St. Paul African Union Methodist Protestant Church, which is celebrating its 90th year at the corner of 4th and Eye Streets SE.

On June 22, 2014, former and current area residents, clergy, elected officials and community leaders gathered to commemorate this historic building, remember its Late Pastor Karen T. Mills, and kick-off the building renovation fund. The church’s deep and lasting connection to the neighborhood was evident. Several generations and dozens of attendees shared memories of and stories about their St. Paul experience and the neighborhood generally, their love and admiration for Pastor Mills, and their hope for a vibrant future.

Past

Romolus C. Archer, who became the second African American licensed architect in Washington, DC, designed the church building. The cornerstone for this modestly-scaled, Gothic Revival brick structure was laid on May 11, 1924, and its working class African-American congregation constructed the church.

The area was closely aligned economically with the Washington Navy Yard, the city’s largest industrial employer through World War II. At the time of construction, the church was adjacent to wooden houses and businesses. Its permanent home is just a few blocks north of its previous wood frame building, rented at Third and M Streets SE.

In the 1940’s, the church witnessed the construction of the Carrollsburg housing project. A decade later, the Capper housing development was built in the same neighborhood.

The 1960’s again brought change to St. Paul and the surrounding neighborhood, with the erection of the interstate highway overpass known as the Southeast Freeway. This controversial infrastructure project created a physical divide separating the Capitol Hill community; dozens of homes were razed to make way for it.

A dozen years ago, St. Paul found itself once more surrounded by major redevelopment as the Capper-Carrollsburg housing was razed to make room for mixed income townhouses under the federal Hope VI program. Low-income, workforce and market rate homes in Capitol Quarter as well as the Arthur Capper Senior Building are just the beginning of this Hope VI redevelopment, with a Community Center and additional housing imminent for the neighborhood. Additionally, other private residential and commercial developments as well as infrastructure projects continue to position St. Paul with a front-row seat of change.

Present

Today, after almost a century at its current location, the St. Paul AUMP Church remains one of the few surviving buildings from the predominantly African-American community that developed in the industrial area between Capitol Hill and the Washington Navy Yard. Pastor Mills demonstrated her leadership by securing the church a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

At the June 22 anniversary celebration, the patience, strength and character of the church community was evident. Sherman Mills and Melvin Mills, two of Pastor Karen Mills’ brothers, spoke about their years living in the 1000 block of Third Street and coming to St. Paul for weekly Sunday services. Melvin Mills reminisced, ”We grew up in this church, sitting in the back with all the other children. We came as a family and we got our values in this church. Those values shaped who we became and who we are today.”

Sherman Mills also recalled memories of growing up in the neighborhood, and the role the church played in his family as well as in the lives of his friends and neighbors. “This church was the centerpiece of the community.”

Congressman G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), Chief Deputy Whip of the Democratic Caucus and 1st Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus joined in the celebration. This eastern North Carolina lawmaker represents an area of the state from which ancestors of many congregants hail. Rep. Butterfield, a lifelong champion of low-income and middle class Americans, recognized the attendees for their fortitude, faith and legacy, and expressed optimism for St. Paul’s continued place of importance in the community.

The tenor of the event took a somber turn as congregants and guests remembered Pastor Mills who died in February of this year. Her love of God and family, and her commitment to the church was clearly on the minds of so many in attendance.

Ward 6 Council Member Tommy Wells presented Pastor Mills’ mother, the Reverend Willie Mae Footman, with a Council Resolution honoring Pastor Mills and her commitment to the church and the community. He fondly recalled his interactions with this smart, tough and spiritual woman.

Friends of all ages and backgrounds stood to share heartfelt stories about Pastor Mills and her selfless acts of giving to friends and strangers alike, her energy and commitment to her family and faith, and her dream to see the St. Paul building restored. While there were moments that a dry eye could not be found, humorous stories were also shared and smiles replaced tears.

Future

Pastor Mills often referred to St. Paul as “the little church that could.” The years on the frontline of numerous construction projects had taken its toll on this aging building. She dreamed of seeing it protected and restored. After securing its historic status, she began to focus on a plan to renovate the building.

Everyone attending the celebration is committed to fulfilling Pastor Mills dream and ensuring a bright and vibrant future for this neighborhood centerpiece, as both a place of worship as well as a community centerpiece and gathering space.

Pastor Mills knew that the continuous role and presence of St. Paul in the neighborhood over much of the past century is testament to the strength, faith, and tenacity of its people, including its neighbors.

A banner inside the church reads, “embracing the community with God’s love.” Pastor Mills embraced the community. She recognized the inevitability of change and the temporary inconveniences that are part of it. She appreciated the community benefits that can be achieved with change.

St. Paul is embarking on a capital campaign to support the significant work this historic building needs to thrive. Events will be held, grants will be written, and donations will be solicited, and the “little church that could” will demonstrate that it can.

For more information, contact stpaulaump@gmail.com.

Bruce DarConte is co-founder and vice chair of Near-Southeast Community Partners. nscpfoundation@gmail.com
- See more at: http://www.capitalcommunitynews.com/content/st-paul-aump-church-celebrates-90-years-neighborhood-continuity#sthash.qBnfTlgF.dpuf

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Citation

“St. Paul AUMP Church Celebrates 90 Years of Neighborhood Continuity,” Arthur Capper, accessed March 29, 2024, https://arthurcapper.omeka.net/items/show/96.