Who We Are
History of Westmoreland
Our church began on November 2, 1886 as Mount Pleasant
Congregational Church on what is now Newton Street in Washington,
DC. At that time, the village of Mount Pleasant was remote from
the city with unpaved streets. Grover Cleveland was President and
the Statue of Liberty debuted in New York harbor.
The original membership of nineteen grew rapidly
reflecting the expansion of the city of Washington and growth of the
Congregational denomination in general. A new building was
completed on Columbia Road and 14th Street in 1904 with a gymnasium and
bowling alleys.
Westmoreland has had twelve senior ministers. The
second, M. Ross Fishburn died at age 42 of typhoid fever. In 1911
a new organization was formed called the League of Service. It
was designed for business and professional women, at that time mainly
teachers and government employees, who wanted to contribute but were
unable to attend daytime meetings.
In 1926 Moses R. Lovell, our sixth senior minister
decided that the midweek prayer meeting be substituted with field trips
to various social agencies to learn more about the needs of the
city. About this time the Young People's Forum was launched with
great success. A handbook was published called "Reaching Out To
You" and subtitled, "A Message to Progressive Men and Women, Boys and
Girls, from a Church That Offers Them Well-Rounded Living."
During the Depression the church worked to find jobs for
people. Our minister, Russell J. Clinchy was instrumental in
persuading President Hoover to establish the Emergency Relief
Commission which was the first agency to distribute public funds.
In 1943 the current site was chosen for a new building
based on the design of the Congregational Church in Wiscasset,
Maine. Construction began in 1948, delayed due to the
unavailability of materials during World War II. In the meantime,
a ramp at the main entrance had been built twice so that President
Franklin D. Roosevelt could attend the funeral of Secretary of the Navy
Frank Knox, and the wedding of Harry Hopkins, his close friend and
advisor.
The new building was completed at a cost of $403,708
which included land, the Western Avenue parsonage, furnishings,
etc. The Aeolian Skinner organ was installed in 1957.
Between 1949 and 1955 our church school enrollment increased from 92 to
553, largely a result of the baby boom. Thus, the education wing
was built. In 1957 enrollment peaked at 765 with sixty teachers.
Various clubs and organizations have thrived over the
years, including a Men's Club which often held "Kid's Night" when the
speaker was a Redskins team member! The 20-40 Club was the most active
and long-lived young adult group; the Couples Club appealed to older
adults; scout troops were sponsored by the church for sixty-five years;
a day camp was begun in the 1950's with a peak enrollment of 550
campers; the Westmoreland Players nurtured talented actors and
directors for nearly twenty years.
In 1958 our congregation made the decision to join the
new denomination called the United Church of Christ. During the
March on Washington in 1963 our church provided housing and food for
participants, just one of numerous outreach efforts during the
turbulent 60's. A proud example which continues today was our
partnership with Lincoln Temple and subsequent commitment to the
Lincoln-Westmoreland housing project.
Sondra Proctor was appointed our organist in 1976, then
Director of Music two years later. In 1982 our church happily
called Gordon M. Forbes to be its twelfth senior minister. In the
ensuing years women have risen rapidly into positions of importance
both as members of the professional staff and as lay leaders.
The centennial celebration throughout 1986 recognized the enduring
nature of our heritage and our adaptability to changing times, and
included the launching of an exciting new outreach effort called the
Westmoreland Volunteer Corps.
Approaching the millennium, Rev. Forbes has set forth a
five-part vision for the future of Westmoreland Church: a vision for
the church as a healing community; the church as a spiritual community
which helps a new generation seek and find God; the church deeply
involved in mission to an interdependent world; the servant church
seeking the welfare of the city; and fueling the vision, or how
monetary gifts can express values and empower this vision for the
future. Join us as we seek the future together!
Last updated Wednesday, February 20, 2008.
1
Westmoreland Circle
Bethesda, MD 20816
301-229-7766
Email the church office: churchinfo@westmorelanducc.org
www.westmorelanducc.org
An
Open and Affirming Congregation
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