Church History

From its early beginning, God had planted a vision in a young man who had traveled from the red clay grounds of North Carolina to the promise of a bigger and brighter tomorrow in the city of Washington, DC.  With the thought of traveling a little more that 200 miles to this city, a country farmer by the name of Joseph Allen Miles, Sr. sought the wisdom of Reverenced Earl Harrison, the late pastor and leader of the Shiloh Baptist Church. Reverend Miles was commissioned by Reverend Harrison to start a mission in a once predominately white neighborhood.  From this vision Reverend Miles became the founder and first pastor of this mission located in the Brookland area of the District of Columbia.  This Mission Church opened on Sunday, November 11, 1945.  The “little” house Mission would soon be turned into a brick edifice located on the corner of 14^th and Irving Streets, Northeast.  The little Mission  house was fine tuned by a master carpenter, the brother of the pastor, Stanley Miles Sr.  Many hours of hard labor, various fund-raising activates, a $25.00 monthly stipend from Shiloh Baptist Church and the income form renting the second floor of the house as  an apartment saw the Mission take shape and form through this vision.  The spirit and faithfulness of Pastor Miles helped to kept the Mission open and climb to greater heights.  On Tuesday night, January 21, 1947, Reverend Joseph Allen Miles, Sr. and twelve (12) members organized the Mission into an official Baptist organization, the Brookland Union Baptist Church.  Reverend Miles was called as the Pastor, Mrs. Ada Harris was elected the Church Clerk and Deacon Stanley B. Miles, Sr. was elected the first Church treasurer.  The other members to join Pastor Miles on this journey of faith and trust in God were Booker T. Arrington,  James Y. Eaton III, Cleveland Miles, Miss Ethelene Miles, Lloyd Miles, Sr., Mrs. Ollie Miles (wife of the pastor), Mrs. Elsie Miles, (wife  of  the treasurer), Mrs. Vivian Sherman, Timothy Yarbrough, Reverend Bernard Pringle, Reverend L.G. McCloud, Reverend Charles Hughes, Mrs. Celeste Douglas, Mrs. Ethel Tynes, and Mrs. Theodora Hearne.

For approximately ten years, following the initial founding of the church, the membership roll increased and the need for a larger  edifice became evident.  In May 1962, ground was broken to erect a new building which totaled more than $200,000. This new building would replace the old house.  Sunday worship services were held at Rhines Funeral Home during the constriction and many neighbors opened their homes for Sunday School.  As various parts of the church became available for occupancy beginning in September 1963, the membership continued to hold monthly fund-raising activities to help finance the building.  On Sunday, October 10, 1965, the church held its dedication service.  Reverend Earl L. Harrison officiated.  A custom-built organ was dedicated in 1969.  In 1973, the membership was able to acquire the property at 3103 14^th Street, Northeast, Washington, D.C. The house on this property was named the Reverend Joseph A. Miles, Sr. Cultural Center. The Center held many community functions for the senior citizens of the church and the surrounding area and other neighborhood activates under the watchful care of Pastor Miles.  The membership of the church expanded, more deacons were ordained, and the Church choirs and Ushers’ board increased from  on  main group to include men, women, and youth groups.  To help keep the flow of communication among the membership, a Circle Leader’s Council was organized.  The ministry of the church extended aboard to many countries in Africa where food, water and clothing were greatly needed.  This organization name “Africare” remains a vital community service function in the church along with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), membership in local and national Baptist conventions, associations and other Christian training programs.

 As the time of laboring in the vineyard drew near, the first pastor, Reverend Joseph Allen Miles, Sr. departed this life on September 25, 1987.  Many of the other founding twelve members passed from their labor to reward.  Shortly after Pastor Miles’ death, Reverend Samuel R. Wilson was elected to serve as the Acting Pastor in 1989.  In 1992, Reverend Bennie Johnson was asked to serve as the Interim Pastor.  In August 1995, the membership elected Reverend Dr. Joseph A. Fobbs as the third Pastor.  Pastor Fobbs submitted his resignation form the pastorship of Brookland Union in December 2001.  Despite the vacancy in the pulpit, the membership remained steadfast and faithful in the word of God that another vision of hope and trust would be revealed to the church.  As God continues to promise to those who believe, the membership installed its fourth pastor, Reverend Dr. C.J. Malloy, Jr. on Sunday, November 3, 2002 at the Israel Baptist Church, Washington, DC.  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord   and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. 2 Peter 3:17-18.

The history of this church is a wonderful story of God’s children in the wilderness.  God takes us through many high mountain top experiences and low valley swells and storms, but the scripture reminds us daily that He never forsakes the righteous or sees His    seed begging for bread.  He has been a shelter in the time of storms and our sunshine on cloudy days.  Nonetheless, He lives so that we can face tomorrow and journey on until we are called to glory.