About Us

In 1883, a small framed church was organized on Capitol Hill in Northeast Washington, D.C. That church, Mt. Sinai A.M.E. Church, served the citizens of that busy neighborhood for 10 years. In 1893, the Bishop John Mifflin Brown, Presiding Elder G.R. Lee and the Pastor Reverend W.A. Johnson decided to tear down the old church and build a new one. Later that year, a new structure arose from the shadow of Mt. Sinai A.M.E Church. To honor the leadership and inspiration of Bishop Brown, the new building bore his name and became, Brown Memorial A.M.E Church. It was under the pastorate of the Rev. I.M. Gray that the mortgage was paid off and the church was redecorated.

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For the second time, in 1959, the church’s structure was torn down to erect a new church. At that time its Pastor Rev. Alexander J. Mattison and 32 church members started a Building Fund by donating $100 each. The cost of the edifice exceeded $279,000 and was dedicated on June 5, 1960, by Bishop George W. Baber, Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District. With the faithful support of his officers and members, Rev. Mattison was able to liquidate the debt of the new church by June 1970 - within 10 short years. Brown Memorial has a rich history: prestigious status, and distinguished legacy on Capitol Hill. Brown is the nearest A.M.E. church to the U.S. Capitol; the first to use women officers on Steward and Trustee Boards; and has won several citywide awards for is youth choir and civic community service activities.

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Brown Memorial A.M.E. Church has continued to reinforce its position as a friend to its neighbers in the community. Over the years, properties neighboring the chuch were purchased not only for the benefit of the members, but also for the community at large. The buildings were used to continue Brown’s steadfast tradition of community outreach and youth development. They have been used to distribute clothing and food to the homeless, fair rental housing, church offices and as a meeting place for Scout Troops and civic organizations. Brown has been known as the “Friendly Church with The Open Door” and “Holy Ghost Headquarters on Capitol Hill”.

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Since its inception, 23 spiritual ministers have pastored Brown Memorial and Rev. W. A. Johnson was its first Pastor. One of Brown’s mainstays in the last milennium was Rev. Mattison who served as Pastor for 32 years, from 1951-1983. He wes followed by Rev. Edger L. James, from 1983-1993; Rev. Henry Y. White, from 1993-2013; and Rev. Charles D. Smith who served faithtully from 2013 until his sudden passing in January 2017. Following Rev. Smith’s death, the church was in mourning and Rev. Dr. Dianne D. Coles served admirably as interim Pastor. In April 2017, Rev. Dr. Marlene R. Mitchell became Brown’s first female pastor, she served from 2017-2023. In May 2023, Bishop James L. Davis, previously the Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District appointed Rev. Dr. Carrington Carter as the Pastor. Currently Pastor Carter is  faithfully and lovingly leading the people of Brown Memorial A.M.E. Church. 

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Throughout its rich history, many ministries have been birthed and the devoted members of Brown Memorial continue to be a people with a mind to work. Those ministries include the A. J. Mattison Men’s Fellowship, the Amanda J. Rogers Missionary Society, Christian Education, Class Leaders, Congressional Care, the Lottie W. Medley Lay Organization, the Manna Outreach Ministry, Music Ministry, the Social Justice and Political Action Ministry, the Technology Ministry, Ushers, Women’s Ministry, and the Youth and Young Adult Ministry. With youth development as a major initiative, the Lillian M. Gary Scholarship Fund continues to assist Brown Memorial’s high school graduates and college students in their pursuit of higher education. In the new millennium, with wide spread gentrification in the D.C. area, Brown Memorial A.M.E. Church proudly remains on Capitol Hill and stands as a beacon of spiritual light to the surrounding community.

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