Ward Memorial, Washington, DC, celebrates 142 years of service
By Mr. William “Bill” Ayers, 2nd Episcopal District
Ward Memorial AME Church celebrated its 142ndanniversary with a culminating worship service on Sunday, May 19, 2019. The church officially opened its doors in May 1877 in a wooden structure on 42ndand Washington Place (now Brooks Street) in the far northeast corridor of the nation’s capital in Washington, DC. At that time, it was known as Grace Chapel AME Church. It was the fellowship, love for the church, member’s faithfulness, and a heightened sense of community engagement that has kept God’s house at this site for 142 years.
In celebration of this milestone achievement, we had two successful activities that motivated and engaged the members. Under the leadership of Ms. Sandra Griffin, the chairperson and her committee, we held an “Everybody’s Birthday” fundraiser in April that included food, an exchange of recipes, fun, fellowship, line dancing, and games. The other activity was the 142ndAnniversary Banquet. Both events were held in our newly-renovated I. A. Miller multi-purpose room.
The committee outdid themselves to ensure the success of this commemorative event under the Church Anniversary theme, “Through It All – We’re Still Standing.” We also took time to honor our 12 members who were 90 years and older. Among those honored was Mrs. Mary Lee Farrior McKinney, the wife of the late Dr. Joseph C. McKinney who served the AME Connectional church as a treasurer. Mrs. McKinney has served as a member of Ward for over 50 years while also holding positions at the Connectional and district levels. We also honored seven “unsung heroes,” members who served the church through the years but were never recognized.
Ward Memorial members have not only given of their time, talent, and resources to their “home” church but several served as officers at the highest levels of the Connectional church including the late Dr. Joseph C. McKinney, Dr. Shirley Cason Reed (WMS), the late Mrs. Vorheese D. B. Jamison (CLO), Mrs. Linda B. Robinson (WMS), Mrs. Margaret Smith Perkins (FCE), and Mr. William “Bill” Ayers (CLO).
On Sunday, May 19, 2019, Ward family and friends filled the church located at 241 42ndStreet, NE, to praise God and celebrate our longevity and service in this far northeast corridor. The Rev. Dededrick O. Rivers serves as our outstanding and energetic visionary and spirit-filled pastor. Our new presiding elder for the Capital District in the Washington Conference, the Rev. Johnny R. Calhoun, uplifted and inspired us with a powerful prayer and words of wisdom and wise counsel to encourage the members to move forward in God’s name and continue the work started 142 years ago.
We were also honored to have with us Washington DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes-Norton who expressed her thanks to Pastor Rivers and members of Ward Memorial and the AME Church for their support of legislation that has benefitted the citizens of Washington, DC. Other special guests included Ms. Janet Benjamin, the executive assistant for the Second Episcopal District, Ms. Symone Sanders, former CNN commentator and senior advisor to the Biden campaign, and the Rev. Thomas Bowens, the director for religious affairs for DC. Both Ms. Sanders and the Rev. Bowens were guests of our member, Brother Shawn Townsend who serves on the Mayor’s Cabinet as the Director of Nightlife and Culture for DC.
The speaker for the morning worship service was the Rt. Rev. James Lavert Davis, the presiding prelate of the Second Episcopal District. His subject was “Breaking News—I am with you saith the Lord.” Bishop Davis spoke words of hope, encouragement, love, and comfort as we move forward to future service to God, the church, and the community. He further stated that God appreciates our faithfulness and has blessed us to reach this milestone. He also stated that we must continue to do His work as our forefathers did to bring us this far. Ward Memorial has stood the test of time and still stands as a testament to God’s presence in our lives as we continue to seek, serve, and witness for Him.
