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Miles Memorial CME Church
History of Miles Memorial CME Church
© 2007 by Miles Memorial CME Church
| MILES MEMORIAL C.M.E. CHURCH: 1883 - 2003 A CHURCH CATCHING AND STAYING ON SPIRITUAL FIRE |
| 'Tis a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle, Washed in the blood of the Lamb. |
In July 1883, an inspired, determined band of about eighty-five persons organized their own
congregation, Miles Chapel, in the District of Columbia and connected themselves with the Colored
(now Christian) Methodist Episcopal Church (founded 1870). The founders had belonged to Israel
Metropolitan C.M.E. Church (a well-known African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington
before it joined the C.M.E. Church in 1876) but they withdrew their membership in the aftermath of
an unresolved dispute with Israel's former minister, W. T. Thomas. The founding leadership included
the Reverend William F. (Billy) Simons, John H. Brooks, C. E. Hilary, Turner Jenkins, John Blanheim,
William H. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. George Washington, Eleanor Lee, Mrs. Alice A. Bee, Mrs. Annie M.
Anderson, Emma Brent, Susan brooks, Fannie Bell, Sarah J. Marlow, and her daughter, Mary E.
Marlow, later the wife of Richard F. Shorter who joined soon after the church was established.
Reverend Simons served as the first minister from August to December 1883.
The congregation made its church home in Walker's Hall, an old building at 1110 Third Street, N.W.,
between L Street and New York Avenue. Reverend Simons had held Sunday School classes there;
when the hall became available for purchase, the church bought it for $3000, paying $500 of the
price in cash. Named for the first C.M.E. bishop, William H. Miles, the new Miles Chapel held its first
official worship service in August 1883. Reverend George L. Davis, the first regular pastor appointed
at the end of 1883, led the congregation in paying off the note during his tenure 1883 - 1885.
The small church rapidly developed and the membership steadily grew. Within several years of its
organization, the congregation razed Walker's Hall and, worshiping temporarily in a tent, erected a
solid two-story brick structure with a steeple and bell chamber. By 1892, the entire edifice was
finished and consisted of a large sanctuary and balcony to seat six hundred, a pastor's study, choir
rooms, lower auditorium, and kitchen. At this time, Miles Chapel became Miles Church. The minister
then was Joseph C. Martin, who was elected a C.M.C. bishop in 1922. The C.M.E. General
Conference renamed the church Miles memorial Tabernacle in 1894, in memory of Bishop Miles,
who died in 1892.
Miles memorial closely reflected the character and concerns of its environs. The churches served the
community around Third Street for eighty-six years. Many members lived within walking distance of
the church in the growing working-and-middle class neighborhood. Indeed, after 1948 to about 1961,
the parsonage was at 2nd and N Streets, N.W., three or four blocks from the church. Miles offered a
Sunday School program, public worship services, youth group activities, an auditorium for local
school programs, and choirs of local and national reputation. The Missionary Society comforted the
needy with food, clothing, and prayer. For a short time during the mid-1940s, Miles hosted then Elder
Smallwood E. Williams and his young congregation in the lower auditorium while construction of
Bible Way Church proceeded.
In the early 1960s, Bishop Henry C. Bunton merged Russell Chapel with Miles and converted Russell
Chapel's property to a parsonage. The old parsonage there was replaced by a new home, completed
in 1983.
Proposed construction of a midtown freeway forced relocation of Miles. Bishop Bunton wanted to
keep the church "downtown", in a developing inner city community that could benefit from the
church's presence. Miles therefore bought property at Fifth and N Streets, N.W., and built a new
church in the revitalizing Shaw district. The new edifice at 501 N Street, N.W., valued at over a
quarter of a million dollars, combined modern efficient design and Biblical symbology in its interior
color scheme. The design by architect David R. Byrd won awards for church architecture. In its
prevent location, the church prepares meals for community residents, carries the evangelical message
door-to-door, and cooperates with other neighborhood churches in social service programs.
More than thirty men have been pastors of Miles, as builders and renovators, powerful speakers,
talented musicians, and selfless men of God. Supporting himself by his federal government job alone,
Rev. L.E.B. Rosser served without a salary for nine years (1906 - 1915). His tenure was the second
longest in Miles' history. There are four former ministers still living: M.L. Curry, E. L. Wade, G.H.
Williams, and R.D. Lewis, Sr. Reverend Lewis served with great distinction and passion for fourteen
years from 1984 to 1998, when he became the presiding elder of the Philadelphia District. Dr. Paul L.
Brown, Sr., the present pastor, took charge in August 1998, and has a brought a talent for teaching
and preaching to the service of the congregation and community.
Each generation of young people at Miles has appreciated the assistant ministers who have served
here. Several "sons and daughters of the church" worked with the youth, led churches elsewhere,
and returned here as associates. Among the men were: Judson E. Carroll, Samuel H. Sterling, A.D.
Ballou, for whom the Miles Library is named, pastor John I. Carroll's son, Berkeley J. Carroll, who
for years counseled laymen and who was the founder/advisor of the acolyte program, I. Daryl
Williams, the son of former pastor, Gene H. Williams, Antonio R. Pea, and Kevin Summers. The
women answering the sacred call have niched their places in the history of Miles, among them: Dr.
Joan D. Scoot, and the Reverends Kathleen A. Brooks, Patricia A. Spruill, and Lauri A. Swann, all
pastors in full connection. In training is Briother Aaron Donnelly. Minister Eugene Johnson heads the
church's evangelism task force.
The last two decades have followed a broader vision and a new direction. The institution of
"In-As-Much" ministries, a concept based on Matthew 25:31-46, seeks to reach the needs of the
community through its feeding and clothing programs. The church regularly hosts local meetings;
just before the outbreak of the Persian Gulf War in 1991, Miles accommodated an all-day, national
coalition for peace conference. Additionally, our ministry to children has included the housing of
KidSpace, a preschool/day care program operated by the House of Ruth (a local community
organization for the welfare of battered women and displaced families). An annual church planning
retreat assists the congregation in evaluating our programs and activities and in establishing further
efforts at kingdom building. Many new programs promote church visibility in the community as well
as fulfill the Miles purpose and mission. We have increased our membership and experienced spiritual
growth through the "Family and Friends Month" observance, membership orientation classes,
worship leader class, Bible studies, and more.
In the short time he has been here, Dr. Brown has instituted a noonday bible study and periodic early
morning (dawn) prayer weeks. He has streamlined the administrative meetings and has reinvigorated
the congregation's vision and dedication to the "the church in the heart of the city with the people of
the chity in our hearts." Most recently, he has restored early Sunday morning worship services twice
a month. Mrs. Delores Brown, the first lady of Miles, leads the innovative and Spirit-filled weekly
meditations known as "The Upper Room." With a new written mission and vision statement, Miles
pursues God's will through worship, evangelism, ministry, fellowship, and discipleship.
The present congregation, from the youngest child to the elder statesmen and stateswomen of the
church, endeavors to maintain and honor the rich tradition of service to God, church, and
community. Miles Memorial C.M.E. Church is a beacon on the corner of Fifhth and N Streets,
drawing the needy to a place of succor and benighted souls to the light of God. Miles memorial is
indeed obedient to God's command in Leviticus 6:13 and is a congregation catching and staying on
fire for the LORD.
For one hundred twenty-two years, Milenians have pursued a dream: to work together for the growth
of the church and the upbuilding of God's kingdom. May we carry that heavenly vision far into the
next century, evermore delcaring,
"All we have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto us."
If you are in the area, please drop in for church services (our schedule of services is here) and think
about making us your church home!
congregation, Miles Chapel, in the District of Columbia and connected themselves with the Colored
(now Christian) Methodist Episcopal Church (founded 1870). The founders had belonged to Israel
Metropolitan C.M.E. Church (a well-known African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington
before it joined the C.M.E. Church in 1876) but they withdrew their membership in the aftermath of
an unresolved dispute with Israel's former minister, W. T. Thomas. The founding leadership included
the Reverend William F. (Billy) Simons, John H. Brooks, C. E. Hilary, Turner Jenkins, John Blanheim,
William H. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. George Washington, Eleanor Lee, Mrs. Alice A. Bee, Mrs. Annie M.
Anderson, Emma Brent, Susan brooks, Fannie Bell, Sarah J. Marlow, and her daughter, Mary E.
Marlow, later the wife of Richard F. Shorter who joined soon after the church was established.
Reverend Simons served as the first minister from August to December 1883.
The congregation made its church home in Walker's Hall, an old building at 1110 Third Street, N.W.,
between L Street and New York Avenue. Reverend Simons had held Sunday School classes there;
when the hall became available for purchase, the church bought it for $3000, paying $500 of the
price in cash. Named for the first C.M.E. bishop, William H. Miles, the new Miles Chapel held its first
official worship service in August 1883. Reverend George L. Davis, the first regular pastor appointed
at the end of 1883, led the congregation in paying off the note during his tenure 1883 - 1885.
The small church rapidly developed and the membership steadily grew. Within several years of its
organization, the congregation razed Walker's Hall and, worshiping temporarily in a tent, erected a
solid two-story brick structure with a steeple and bell chamber. By 1892, the entire edifice was
finished and consisted of a large sanctuary and balcony to seat six hundred, a pastor's study, choir
rooms, lower auditorium, and kitchen. At this time, Miles Chapel became Miles Church. The minister
then was Joseph C. Martin, who was elected a C.M.C. bishop in 1922. The C.M.E. General
Conference renamed the church Miles memorial Tabernacle in 1894, in memory of Bishop Miles,
who died in 1892.
Miles memorial closely reflected the character and concerns of its environs. The churches served the
community around Third Street for eighty-six years. Many members lived within walking distance of
the church in the growing working-and-middle class neighborhood. Indeed, after 1948 to about 1961,
the parsonage was at 2nd and N Streets, N.W., three or four blocks from the church. Miles offered a
Sunday School program, public worship services, youth group activities, an auditorium for local
school programs, and choirs of local and national reputation. The Missionary Society comforted the
needy with food, clothing, and prayer. For a short time during the mid-1940s, Miles hosted then Elder
Smallwood E. Williams and his young congregation in the lower auditorium while construction of
Bible Way Church proceeded.
In the early 1960s, Bishop Henry C. Bunton merged Russell Chapel with Miles and converted Russell
Chapel's property to a parsonage. The old parsonage there was replaced by a new home, completed
in 1983.
Proposed construction of a midtown freeway forced relocation of Miles. Bishop Bunton wanted to
keep the church "downtown", in a developing inner city community that could benefit from the
church's presence. Miles therefore bought property at Fifth and N Streets, N.W., and built a new
church in the revitalizing Shaw district. The new edifice at 501 N Street, N.W., valued at over a
quarter of a million dollars, combined modern efficient design and Biblical symbology in its interior
color scheme. The design by architect David R. Byrd won awards for church architecture. In its
prevent location, the church prepares meals for community residents, carries the evangelical message
door-to-door, and cooperates with other neighborhood churches in social service programs.
More than thirty men have been pastors of Miles, as builders and renovators, powerful speakers,
talented musicians, and selfless men of God. Supporting himself by his federal government job alone,
Rev. L.E.B. Rosser served without a salary for nine years (1906 - 1915). His tenure was the second
longest in Miles' history. There are four former ministers still living: M.L. Curry, E. L. Wade, G.H.
Williams, and R.D. Lewis, Sr. Reverend Lewis served with great distinction and passion for fourteen
years from 1984 to 1998, when he became the presiding elder of the Philadelphia District. Dr. Paul L.
Brown, Sr., the present pastor, took charge in August 1998, and has a brought a talent for teaching
and preaching to the service of the congregation and community.
Each generation of young people at Miles has appreciated the assistant ministers who have served
here. Several "sons and daughters of the church" worked with the youth, led churches elsewhere,
and returned here as associates. Among the men were: Judson E. Carroll, Samuel H. Sterling, A.D.
Ballou, for whom the Miles Library is named, pastor John I. Carroll's son, Berkeley J. Carroll, who
for years counseled laymen and who was the founder/advisor of the acolyte program, I. Daryl
Williams, the son of former pastor, Gene H. Williams, Antonio R. Pea, and Kevin Summers. The
women answering the sacred call have niched their places in the history of Miles, among them: Dr.
Joan D. Scoot, and the Reverends Kathleen A. Brooks, Patricia A. Spruill, and Lauri A. Swann, all
pastors in full connection. In training is Briother Aaron Donnelly. Minister Eugene Johnson heads the
church's evangelism task force.
The last two decades have followed a broader vision and a new direction. The institution of
"In-As-Much" ministries, a concept based on Matthew 25:31-46, seeks to reach the needs of the
community through its feeding and clothing programs. The church regularly hosts local meetings;
just before the outbreak of the Persian Gulf War in 1991, Miles accommodated an all-day, national
coalition for peace conference. Additionally, our ministry to children has included the housing of
KidSpace, a preschool/day care program operated by the House of Ruth (a local community
organization for the welfare of battered women and displaced families). An annual church planning
retreat assists the congregation in evaluating our programs and activities and in establishing further
efforts at kingdom building. Many new programs promote church visibility in the community as well
as fulfill the Miles purpose and mission. We have increased our membership and experienced spiritual
growth through the "Family and Friends Month" observance, membership orientation classes,
worship leader class, Bible studies, and more.
In the short time he has been here, Dr. Brown has instituted a noonday bible study and periodic early
morning (dawn) prayer weeks. He has streamlined the administrative meetings and has reinvigorated
the congregation's vision and dedication to the "the church in the heart of the city with the people of
the chity in our hearts." Most recently, he has restored early Sunday morning worship services twice
a month. Mrs. Delores Brown, the first lady of Miles, leads the innovative and Spirit-filled weekly
meditations known as "The Upper Room." With a new written mission and vision statement, Miles
pursues God's will through worship, evangelism, ministry, fellowship, and discipleship.
The present congregation, from the youngest child to the elder statesmen and stateswomen of the
church, endeavors to maintain and honor the rich tradition of service to God, church, and
community. Miles Memorial C.M.E. Church is a beacon on the corner of Fifhth and N Streets,
drawing the needy to a place of succor and benighted souls to the light of God. Miles memorial is
indeed obedient to God's command in Leviticus 6:13 and is a congregation catching and staying on
fire for the LORD.
For one hundred twenty-two years, Milenians have pursued a dream: to work together for the growth
of the church and the upbuilding of God's kingdom. May we carry that heavenly vision far into the
next century, evermore delcaring,
"All we have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto us."
If you are in the area, please drop in for church services (our schedule of services is here) and think
about making us your church home!