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The evolution of Mount Jezreel Baptist Church was among some of the earlier churches in Washington, D.C. Between 1865 and 1873, Mount Jezreel was born out of a group of people from the congregation of Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Northwest Washington who simply got tired of walking across town to church and desired to move closer to the areas in which they lived.
The original four members of this new church, “MOUNT. JEZREEL”, were William Shanklin, Peter Gray, Abraham Blackmore, and Catherine Wilson. During 1873, their first services were conducted in an old building on Van Street, SE known today as “M” Place, SE. In 1876, Mount Jezreel’s growing congregation moved to a larger building on G Street between 3rd and 4 1/2 Streets, SE. The pastor was the late Rev. Temple S. Robinson under whose leadership the church continued to grow.
In 1879, Mount Jezreel found a more suitable facility located on 7th near L Street, SE. This site was commonly called the old “Meat House.” During the congregation’s tenure in the old “Meat House,” the industrious Rev. Robinson never stopped seeking the ideal location for the church. Knowing the financial needs of the church, Rev. Robinson, with a determined mind and God’s guidance, was blessed to obtain the previous site for a modest sum of $900. The property was secured and the work that they faced was evident. In 1882, the trustees and congregation voted to purchase the lot on the southeast corner of 5th and E Street, SE.
Rev. Robinson, along with other dedicated members of the church, worked. unceasingly to establish a physical structure in which to worship. Accordingly, the church hired Calvin Brent, a black native-born ‘Washingtonian (builder/designer) to help design and build the new facility. The structure was, in comparison to other churches of the era, very modest. Finally, after many turbulent days, the members were rewarded when the cornerstone was laid in October 1883.
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