Which Is the Oldest Black Baptist Church in Washington, DC?

Updated

Nineteenth Street Baptist Church identifies itself as the oldest African American Baptist church in Washington, DC. If you are looking for the congregation that holds that distinction, this is the name to start with. The church today worships at 4606 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20011, and offers both in-person and online participation. The sections below cover what the church says about itself, how to join worship or Bible study, and the wording traps that trip people up when they search for "oldest Black church in DC."

The short answer

  • Name: Nineteenth Street Baptist Church
  • Self-description: "The Oldest African American Baptist Church in Washington, DC"
  • Current location: 4606 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
  • Worship: Sunday at 10:00 A.M., in person and on YouTube
  • Bible study: Tuesday at 7:00 P.M. on Zoom
  • Website: 19thstreetbc.org

The claim of "oldest" comes from the church's own materials, so treat it as the congregation's self-identification rather than an independent historical ruling. That is normal for this kind of question: historic Black congregations in DC often trace their founding to the early 1800s, and the exact "first" depends on whether you count by founding date, by formal incorporation, or by the date a congregation got its own building.

Why the wording matters

Searches like "oldest Black Baptist church in Washington" pull together several different claims that are not interchangeable:

Phrase What it usually means
Oldest Black Baptist church in DC A Baptist congregation founded by and for African Americans in the District
Oldest African American Baptist church in DC The same idea, phrased as the church phrases it
Oldest Black church in DC Could be Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, or another tradition — a broader category
Oldest African American congregation in DC Broadest of all; may include non-Baptist and non-Protestant bodies

If your question is specifically about a Baptist congregation, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church is the one making that claim. If you are researching the oldest Black congregation of any denomination in the city, you need a wider list, because Baptist, Methodist, and other traditions all have early-1800s roots in DC.

What the church offers today

The site's "Open Hearts Weekly Schedule" lays out the current rhythm:

Sunday

  • Sunday School for adults — in person and on Zoom, 10 a.m. (Zoom meeting ID 9076953808; the site says to call 216-810-6465 for the password)
  • Sunday School for children — in person, ages 4–16
  • Worship service — in person, on Zoom, or on Facebook Live, 11:00 a.m.

Note the discrepancy: the homepage banner lists Sunday worship at 10:00 A.M., while the weekly schedule section lists the worship service at 11:00 a.m. If you are planning to attend in person or tune in live, check the calendar or contact the church before you go, since schedules can shift seasonally.

Midweek

  • Wednesday Call to Prayer — noon to 12:30 p.m., audio only
  • Wednesday Bible Study ("The CONNECTION") — 7:00 p.m., audio or Zoom

Ongoing

  • Tuesday Bible Study — 7:00 P.M. on Zoom, per the homepage banner

How to visit or join online

  1. Decide whether you are attending in person or online. In-person worship is at 4606 16th St. NW. Online options include YouTube, Facebook Live, and Zoom, depending on the service.
  2. Check the current week's schedule. The site maintains a "This Week's Announcements" page, an events listing, a calendar, and COVID-19 protocols. These are the pages most likely to carry last-minute changes.
  3. For Zoom participation, get the password first. The adult Sunday School listing gives a meeting ID but directs you to call 216-810-6465 for the password rather than posting it publicly.
  4. If you are new, start with the Visitors section. The site has a Visitor Information Form and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page, plus a "How to Become a Member" page if you want to understand the path beyond visiting.
  5. If you want the history before you go, read the Church History page. It sits under the About menu alongside Mission and Vision, Senior Pastor, and Leadership & Staff.

What else is on the site

Beyond worship logistics, the site documents:

  • Leadership: Rev. Kevin Lamár Peterman is named as the new Senior Pastor, with a press release and pastoral installation photos in the News section.
  • Ministries: A full ministries list and a sign-up page under "Get Connected."
  • Giving: A dedicated Giving section.
  • Community life: Featured events such as the Deaconess Family Dinner 2026, plus an archive of "The Epistle" newsletter.
  • Facility usage: A page for those inquiring about using the building.

Common sticking points

  • "Oldest" without a qualifier. If you drop "Baptist," you are asking a different and harder question. Keep the denomination in your search if that is what you mean.
  • Founding date vs. current building. A congregation can be the oldest of its kind while worshipping in a much newer building, and it can move addresses over time — as this church's name ("Nineteenth Street") versus its current 16th Street location illustrates.
  • Two different Sunday times on the same site. The 10:00 A.M. banner and the 11:00 a.m. schedule entry do not match. Confirm before traveling.
  • Password-protected Zoom. Some sessions require a password obtained by phone, so you cannot always join straight from a link.

If your goal is simply to name the church, the answer is Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. If your goal is to attend, use the calendar and announcements pages to confirm the current time, then choose in-person, YouTube, Facebook Live, or Zoom.