​​​​​​​​HEMINGW​A​Y TEMPLE A.M.E CHURCH

On July 15, 1951, the Reverend Jesse H. Williams was appointed as the first Pastor of Hemingway Temple A.M.E. Church. The church was dedicated on July 22, 1951. Bishop Hemingway because a member.

 

Hemingway Temple thrived and grew spiritually and financially under Reverend Williams’ leadership. The membership increased to approximately 160 members. A year and a half into the life of the church, Pastor Williams left Hemingway and the A.M.E. Conference, thus leaving the congregation without a Shepherd. This was a tremendous setback because the majority of the members followed Pastor Williams and only nine faithful ones remained.

 

The Rev. Robert H. Baddy was appointed as Pastor in December 1952. Although new members joined under his capable and scholarly leadership, mending a split church proved to be a difficult undertaking. During the eight years of his pastorate, Rev. Baddy, along with several of the church officers took personal responsibility for paying the church’s operating expenses. With their good deeds and other untiring efforts, Hemingway Temple managed to survive. The organ chimes, the laying of the cornerstone and hanging of a dedicatory plague in honor of Bishop Lawrence H. Hemingway were accomplished under by Rev. Baddy’s administration. Rev. Leon Lipscombe was the first Son of the Church. He received his ordination under Rev. Baddy’s guidance.

 

Rev. J. Louis Young pastored from 1960 – 1962. A new piano was purchased during his tenure.

 

Rev. Thomas N. Hawkins pastored from 1962 – 1966. During this timeframe the church sustained fire damage and faced some legal issues. Through God’s grace these situations were overcome and the church continued to grow. A Young People’s Choir was organized under Rev. Hawkins’ ministry. Rev. George Manning, a faithful member, trustee, and Sunday School Superintendent answered the call to ministry under the leadership of Rev. Hawkins.

 

Rev. Jesse C. Taylor pastored from 1966 - 1968. Rev. Taylor maintained a strong interest and deep commitment to the church and community. He sponsored a Summer Enrichment Education Program and Day Nursery. The Church benefited financially from these outreach ministries.

 

Rev. Ernest E. Lyte pastored from 1968 -1972. Rev. Lyte served with great dedication and strong faith. Under his leadership, new office equipment, the outer area guardrails and the Church bulletin board were acquired.

 

Rev. James E. Gibson pastored from 1972 – 1975. Rev. Gibson was an accomplished administrator and leader. He worked diligently with the congregation to make the church more comfortable and visually pleasing to the congregants and visitors through renovations, new carpeting and water cooler.

 

Rev. Ulysses Brooks pastored from 1975 – 1983. Worship was greatly enhanced by Rev. Brooks and his family’s music ministry. He brought comfort to the sick and shut-ins through prayer and song; often accompanied by his wife, Sis. Lillie Brooks. It was during his pastorate that the men of the church, (Bro. Ransom Johnson, Bro. John Cox, Sr, Bro. Spencer Douglas, Bro. Isaiah Gaillard, Bro. Leroy Crockett, Bro. Walter Latney, Bro. John Latney, Bro. Felix Hadden, Bro. Fred Felix, Bro. Johnnie Gates, Bro. Thomas Brooks and Bro. William Jones) manually dug out and build the basement which provided space for a new kitchen, larger dining area, restrooms and a meeting room. Being committed to ministry outside the church, he started a Clothes Closet and Soup N’ Bread ministry which provided assistance for those in need.

 

Rev. Harry L. Seawright pastored from 1983 – 1986. Rev. Seawright moved the church to higher heights by his positive attitude and focused leadership skills. Accomplishments realized during his ministry included installation of new carpet in the main sanctuary, central air conditioning system and the purchase of a church van.

 

Rev. Godfrey Patterson pastored from 1986 – 1988. Rev. Patterson’s charismatic personality opened the way for a significant growth in members during his tenure. Under his leadership new electronic equipment was purchased, the church’s interior was painted, and a radio ministry was launched.

 

Rev. Charles D. Smith pastored from 1988 – 1997. Rev. Smith came at a time when all was not well, but with his tenacity and the members’ willingness to work the challenges were overcome. He brought a spirit of dedication to God’s work and a commitment to fostering relationship with the congregation, our sister churches and the community at large. While serving as the under shepherd of Hemingway many accomplishments were realized to include the restoration of financial stability, restoration of the church’s membership; extensive repair and beautification of the church’s infrastructure; purchase of a baby grand piano; purchase of a leslie speaker for the Hammond organ; purchase of new chairs and tables for fellowship hall; purchase of a contemporary copier; purchased a church van, expanded the charitable feeding program to nine months per year with  meals being served twice a month instead of the original one time a month; established a building fund; developed and fostered relationship with congregation, our sister churches and the community at large through church sponsored outings, trips and picnics, Lenten service and other worship experiences with fellow A.M.E. and other churches and a Before and After Care Program sponsored under the auspices of Scott Montgomery Elementary School to serve the community; sent first lay delegate, Sis Anne Pair, to General Convention; began ministry of honoring members for their dedication and commitment to Hemingway, expansion of the music ministry through the acquisition of gifted musicians, established a variety of youth ministries/program under the leader of Rev. Mildred Clark, the Assistant Pastor; including the Youth Church, the Hallelujah Choir (preschoolers) and the Charles D. Smith Youth Choir; established a Women’s Ministry and New Member’s Orientation Classes of which Rev. Rita Williams the Associate Minister oversaw. Licentiate Isiah Kirby delivered his initial sermon under Rev. Smith’s leadership.

 

Rev. Michael A. Bethea pastored from 1997 to 2013. Rev. Bethea arrived at a time when   the church was on both a spiritual and financial high. Under Rev. Bethea’s leadership, Hemingway experienced some growth in membership, but the most significant accomplishments was raising funding to replace the slate roof, paint the sanctuary, re-tile fellowship hall, and ultimately retired all church indebtedness.  Sisters Dorothy Washington and Zenobia Latney were consecrated as deaconesses. The support ministerial staff grew from Rev. Clark to include Rev. Robbie Morton and Rev. William Conyers, who launched and managed the Joy Night ministry; Rev. Jennette McNear-New Members Ministry; Rev. Patricia Henry-Drama Ministry; Rev. LuAnn Bethea-First Lady and Women’s Ministry and Rev. Jackie Speaks-McKnight-Youth Church ministry.

 

Rev. Thann Young pastored from April 2013 to the present. God gave Rev. Young a fresh new vision for Hemingway and from day one he saw what we could become, plus he had a mind to work to make it happen.  He initially started with a fellowship dinner where all could relax and meet the new Pastor and First Lady. His next two initiatives again included the entire congregation, a Mother’s Day celebration hosted by the men and a “Spruce it Up or Throw it Out” day. The “Spruce it Up or Throw it Out” day involved members and friends coming out to organize, clean, and refresh the church. Two months into his pastorate, Pastor Young met with the congregation to discuss a campaign for raising funds for infrastructure revitalization and other church enhancements which was fondly known as “Restore the Temple”. In four months, the financial goal had been reached and the work had begun.

 

During his first year at Hemingway, Rev. Young re-introduced on-site bible study, re-organized the youth choir, and developed relationships with neighboring churches and community leaders, to include the local ANC and police district.

 

Hemingway was the recipient of a DC Health Link grant administered through the Second Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church. Bro. Stevie Jefferson was selected to represent Hemingway as an In Person Assister to help enrollees to successfully navigate the intricacies of the Affordable Care marketplace. Hemingway served as an official enrollment site.

 

Pastor Young’s second year is off to a great start. We have restructured and extended our Homeless Feeding Ministry to provide hot meals, clothing, toiletries and spiritual encouragement year round. The second phase of “Restore the Temple” is underway with planned renovations to the fellowship hall, kitchen, and bathrooms.

 

We don’t know what else God has in store for us nor how long Pastor Young will be with us, but in the meantime we will continue to praise God and fulfill the mission we have to serve Him.