The historic Third Baptist Church, one of the oldest Black churches in Washington, D.C., has been sold to the Church of the Advent, an Anglican congregation in the nation’s capital.
Third Baptist’s congregation dates back to 1857 and its 1893 building was designed by Calvin Brent, the first Black architect to practice in D.C. It is the oldest Black church building in Washington still standing was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
Third Baptist Church’s members have chosen to continue as a congregation in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Advent was founded in 2007 has been meeting in rented buildings.
“The Third Baptist Church was very happy to partner with the Church of the Advent, who we know will carry out the legacy of providing spiritual guidance and outreach ministry to those in the Shaw neighborhood,” said the Rev. Paige Harris, senior pastor at Third Baptist Church. “Although the Third Baptist Church itself will be moving, we feel confident that the impact made while we were there will live on through the work of our new friends. We pray that the Lord will bless everything they do to carry out the mission of the church.”
“Third Baptist Church’s members have been worshiping, providing a gospel witness, and engaging in vital neighborhood ministry outreach for more than 165 years. We are humbled and grateful to be able to carry on the incredible legacy of gospel-centered ministry in the Shaw neighborhood,” said the Rev. Thomas Hinson, rector at Church of the Advent.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition was coordinated with the help of Sacred Spaces Conservancy, a nonprofit that works to preserve houses of worship for generations to come.
Photo by Biruitorul / Wikimedia Commons
;
