The huge old church at 14th and Maryland Ave, NE looks like it may finally be getting fixed up. It had been for sale last I checked but just last weekend I noticed that the very early demo appears to have started. Though, I didn’t see any dumpsters so I’m not sure how far along the plans are. But the location and property are pretty amazing so it’ll be interesting to see how the renovations turn out. Anyone hear any news/scuttlebutt about who’s coming?

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“Dear PoPville,

I live nearby and this just keeps running through my head every morning: why has no one cleaned up the rubble from the spire that partially crumbled during the earthquake on 8/24? Heck, if there was a dumpster bin nearby I would toss it in myself. Just seems odd.”

Checking it out on Saturday, it actually looks pretty unsafe:

I’ll alert DCRA Monday morning. But I do agree, it would be nice if the rubble was cleaned up as well.

Thanks to all who wrote in about this property hitting the market. Daryle writes:

“After four decades in the neighborhood, the pastor of the Beginning Church of God has put his large property at the corner of 13th and S on the market.

Many PoP readers may know Rev. Sutton (now in frail health, and living with family in the area) as a familiar face at the corner of 13th and S streets, where he would greet passersby most mornings throughout the year and without fail on on summer afternoons. Until his wife passed away in 2009, the reverend and his small congregation were also known for the rockin’ music that came from the church on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.

The physical condition of the three-story brick house on 13th Street (adjacent to one of Duke Ellington’s childhood homes) and adjoining church on S Street is very poor. There are numerous issues for a landlocked (no off-street parking) lot the sits at the intersection of two historic districts (Greater U Street and Greater 14th Street). But, the potential for a fine rehab at a fantastic corner is tremendous.”

Ed. Note: In the dozens of times I’ve walked past this property I could always count on a friendly smile from Rev. Sutton. He will be missed.

The flier for 1801 13th St NW says:

“ENTER AT OWN RISK, vacant property needs full rehab. OFFERS DUE MONDAY NOV. 7 by 5pm. Formerly used as 3 units, enter upper units on 13th street side. Enter main level unit from S street. Please conduct all inspections prior to offer submission.”

It’s going for $599,000.

From Pastor Karen Brau:

We celebrate today the gifts of Biblical Hospitality lived out in the life of St. Dorothy Day of New York. A woman who came to her faith in adulthood, St. Dorothy took the words of Jesus so seriously that she sought ways to live out Jesus’ love for all people, particularly the most vulnerable — the poor. St. Dorothy Day joined with Peter Maurin to begin the Catholic Worker Movement in the 1930’s, in New York City, resulting in Houses of Hospitality across the county. Today, we bless this door, giving thanks for this faithful woman who is known for her strong love and her argumentative style. For if she were here today, she would say, “Please don’t call me a saint, I don’t want to be dismissed so easily.”

Luther Place Memorial Church is located at 1226 Vermont Ave. NW, on Thomas Circle. You can see the two other doors here and here. The artist for all three doors is Amanda Weber.

I love this building (that I assume at one point served as a church) across the street from Samuel Gompers Park in Mt. Vernon Square:

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Anyone know if/when it closed?

Close ups after the jump. (more…)

I just noticed this section of cool old fence behind the National Cathedral. It’s pretty wild because it is just one small section that has no function (there is a plain chainlink all the way around behind it).

Incidentally I had no idea it was only completed in 1990. I though it was much older than that.

Luther Place Memorial Church is located at 1226 Vermont Ave. NW, on Thomas Circle. This church has previously been featured for its mural of St. Francis. Following are the words given by the Rev. Karen Brau during the dedication of this mural:

We welcome to the 14th Street side of the Sacred Commons at Luther Place Church The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., painted by Amanda Weber. We honor Dr. King, born January 15, 1929, as a preacher who led a movement to bring civil rights to African American people, fulfilling this nation’s vision that all people are created equal. Using the powerful biblical theme of God’s love that liberates and sets free all who are in bondage, Dr. King appealed to a deep place of faith that called forth holy imagination from all manner of people. Dr. King was a strong and prophetic voice for change, knowing that it would be non-violent organized effort that would transform the degrading laws and policies that kept some people partial citizens in our nation. We learned again about dreaming from Dr. King, and we learned to reach out across barriers that kept us apart in order to move together towards that holy mountain where all God’s children live in harmony. The task is still not complete, so we life up a Saint whose guidance we still require and who teaches us that we need each other.

On August 28, 1963, Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech just south of here in DC. In that speech he proclaimed passionately, “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.”

St. Martin of Birmingham, you gave your life to a dream of reconciliation and peace, may we not endlessly defer that dream, instead may we keep marching towards it strengthened by love and sustained by hope.

St. Martin of Birmingham joins the St. Francis of Assisi Door on the Thomas Circle side of the Sacred Commons at Luther Place. Look for the 3rd in our door triptych on the Vermont Ave side of the Sacred Commons in Spring, 2011.

The Rev. Karen Brau
Senior Pastor
Luther Place Memorial Church,
January 15, 2011

The Post’s Jonathan O’Connell recently wrote an update:

“Builders planning to tear down a concrete church after a years-long feud over the historic value of D.C. buildings are moving forward in earnest after a major local developer bought into the property as a partner.”

The Third Church of Christ is located at 16th and I St, NW and was “ designed by the firm of architect I.M. Pei in 1971 and is one of a limited number of Washington examples of Brutalist architecture”.

More updates when/if demolition takes place.

I love the Russian Orthodox Cathedral Of St John The Baptist at 4001 17th St, NW. I’ve shown it before but it was looking so good last weekend I couldn’t resist sharing again.

Thanks to PoPville flickr user pablo.raw for uploading these great shots of Rev. Rob Hardies blessing pets at the All Souls Church Unitarian on 16th and Harvard St, NW.

“Dear PoP,

My phone picture doesn’t do this building justice, but the Fisherman’s Church near the intersection of Georgia and New Hampshire deserves an award. This historic building was one of the first movie theaters in DC and now it is a true blight to the neighborhood. What is hard to see here is the attempts at several different paint colors (purple, Orange, brown), but the new addition of a chunk of plastic siding is a real beauty.

Here is hoping that when the economy gets better, somebody will make them an offer they can’t refuse. This place is amazing on the inside and would make a great DC Cinema Draft house.”

I can’t nominate this as a Horses Ass Award because it is a functioning church. They also have put a bit of money in for internal renovations. A horse ass award is reserved for buildings that have fallen into disrepair and are vacant with no known improvements for months/years. This church actually has a really interesting historyas you noted. It used to be a theater in the 1920s.

I do happen to know that developers have tried to purchase this property a few times but were unable to. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love a DC Cinema Draft house somewhere but at the moment this is an active church that is a positive member of the community so I wish them and their congregation well.

What do you guys think – do you feel this property is a blight?

I found this one on 16th St, NW way up north on my way back from today’s house of the day.

I seriously don’t mean to be disrespectful. I genuinely think this is an amazing sculpture. It’s from:

I’m surprised we haven’t judged the Park Road Community Church (above), located on Park Road just west of Sherman Ave. Ed. Note: More on Sherman Ave redevelopment coming later this week. This is a pretty unique looking church. Any fans of the style?

And thanks to twitter user @yooooken for sharing the great photo below.