GCAH - Guide to the Records of Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., 1901-1951

Guide to the Records of Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., 1901-1951

Mark Shenise, Associate Archivist

United Methodist Archives and History Center
General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church
(Published for the African American Methodist Heritage Center)

2018-11-19

Overview of Collection

Record Creator: Asbury United Methodist Church (Washington, DC)

Title: Records of Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., 1901-1951

Date Span: 1901-1951

Abstract: Asbury Chapel, now Asbury United Methodist Church, was organized in 1836 when a group led by Eli Nugent left Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church to form its own congregation. Asbury's leadership remained in the hands of white church leadership until 1864 when the Washington Annual Conference was founded. Since its founding, Asbury's growth has been intricately woven with that of African-American history. This artificial collection contains photocopies of selected parts of Washington Annual Conference journals from 1901 to 1951. The files were created and used as reference materials by Louise F. Robinson, Asbury's local church historian. These copies relate either directly or indirectly to help document the church's history.

Extent: 0.36 cubic feet

Identification: aamc.in.gcah4886

History Note

Asbury Chapel, now Asbury United Methodist Church, was organized in 1836 when a group led by Eli Nugent left Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church to form its own congregation. Asbury's leadership remained in the hands of white church leadership until 1864 when the Washington Annual Conference was founded. Asbury's role and leadership as a black congregation were firmly established with the appointment of its first black pastor, Reverend James Peck. Since its founding, Asbury's growth has been intricately woven with that of African-American history. It experienced its greatest growth during the Reconstruction Era when its membership grew rapidly. By the 1880s new organizations and programs had augmented the church growth, and the Asbury Sunday School and Senior Choir received frequent mention in the press. Growth was accompanied by both missionary efforts and doctrinal disputes, which led to the direct formation of other congregations out of Asbury: John Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1847, Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church in 1875, and Peoples Congregational Church in 1891.

Under the leadership of Reverends John Wesley Edward Bowen, Sr., Isaac L. Thomas, Matthew Wesley Clair, Sr. and others, Asbury added new programs, expanded it services, and built a new edifice. The church membership was over 1,000 by 1915. The second structure built on the site in 1866, could no longer service its members. Under the leadership of Reverend Matthew Wesley Clair, Sr., the present two-story structure of Gothic design and stained-glass windows replaced the old building. The Asbury Education Center was completed in 1973.

History note is from http://www.asburyumcdc.org/history.html

Scope and Content Note

This artificial collection contains photocopies of selected parts of Washington Annual Conference journals from 1901 to 1951. The files were created and used as reference materials by Louise F. Robinson, Asbury's local church historian. These copies relate either directly or indirectly to help document the church's history.

Arrangement

Materials have been arranged in the following manner.

The collection is arranged chronologically by date.

Preferred Citation

When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Records of Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., African American Methodist Heritage Center - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding this collection.

Use Access

Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.

Related Material

Records of the National Division of the General Board of Global Ministries.


Index Terms

	Subject Terms
		African American Methodists
	Geographic Terms
		Washington (D.C.)
	Subject Names - Person
		Robinson, Lonise F.
	Subject Names - Corporate Bodies
		Methodist Church (U.S.). Washington Annual Conference.
		Methodist Episcopal Church. Washington Annual Conference
	Genre Terms
		Minutes

Container List

Call Number

Folder Title

Date(s)

2413-4-1: 1