ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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A CEREMONAL RESOLUTION
25-224
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
May 7, 2024
To recognize Union Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church’s 140 th year anniversary.
WHEREAS, Union Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (“Union Wesley AME
Zion Church”) began in Georgetown in 1844;
WHEREAS, due to a climate of racial prejudice a small group of men and women desiring
religious freedom withdrew from the Mt. Zion Methodist Church to form the Union Wesley AME Zion
Church;
WHEREAS, founding members of the Union Wesley AME Zion Church include Gassaway
Waters, Isaac Johnson, Charles Simmons, Carl Carusoe, Charity Wilson, and Eliza Wilson;
WHEREAS, Union Wesley AME Zion Church began holding church services in the home of
Gassaway Waters on the corner of Twenty-Eight and Olive Avenue, N.W.;
WHEREAS, in 1846 Union Wesley AME Zion Church relocated to a larger space at Twenty-
Third Street between L and M, N.W. which was destroyed by fire due to racial prejudice;
WHEREAS, young Black architect Calvin Brent designed and constructed a new church on the
same site that was completed in 1848, and dedicated it as the Second Colored Wesleyan Church;
WHEREAS, the Second Colored Wesleyan Church operated independently until it was accepted
in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church on August 26, 1884, and the first pastor was Reverend
Wallace Brown;
WHEREAS, during his pastorate Reverend Wallace Brown changed the name of the church to
Union Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church;
WHEREAS, in 1967 Union Wesley AME Zion Church relocated to Ward 5 at 1860 Michigan
Avenue NE in the Queens Chapel community in Ward 5, and is currently pas tored by Dr. Brian S. Relford
Sr.;
WHEREAS, in the same year the Queens Chapel Civic Association began meeting at this location
which eventually became its headquarters;
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WHEREAS, Union Wesley AME Zion Church and the Queens Chapel Civic Association have
partnered with the church for a health fair and a toy drive donation to Children’ s Hospital;
WHEREAS, Union Wesley AME Zion Church served as a station on the Underground Railroad
for slaves escaping to the North;
WHEREAS, Union Wesley AME Zion Church member North B.F. Grant along with Frederick
Douglas and Sojourner Truth helped spearhead the Underground movement;
WHEREAS, the vision of Union Wesley AME Zion Church is ‘[T]o be a growing community of
faith that passionately models the life of Christ by equipping and training seekers and believers to do the
work of ministry in the church and community.”;
WHEREAS, Union Wesley AME Zion Church makes an annual donation to the Queens Chapel
Civic Association’s Reverend David Turner Memorial Scholarship to graduating seniors;
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 health pandemic, Union Wesley AME Zion Church assisted
the Queens Chapel Civic Association in transitioning to virtual meetings;
WHEREAS, during the 2022 general election Union Wesley AME Zion Church invested in
additional cameras and television screens for the sanctuary to provide hybrid in person and virtual church
services and candidates forum;
WHEREAS, the mission of the Union Wesley AME Zion Church is to “love God and one
another, impact and improve our community and the world; and to proclaim and witness to the life
changing message of Jesus Christ.”.
IT IS HEARBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That
this resolution may be cited as the “Union Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church’s 140
th
Anniversary Recognition Resolution of 2024”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and celebrates the Union Wesley
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church on the occasion of its 140
th
anniversary for its outstanding
commitment, dedication, and service to its members and the community.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.