About the Windows

Metropolitan is a connectional church, which means it is part of a system of AME churches that come together to promote Christ, their spirituality, their religion and to advance the welfare of African American people. These memorial stained glass windows provide an historical timeline of the church and contain the names of several AME annual conferences and are dedicated. Windows still in need of repair include those that are dedicated to each department of the church.

Metropolitan A.M.E. was chosen to compete in the Partners in Preservation program by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This community-based initiative will award $1 million in preservation grants to historic places across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

About Partners in Preservation

Partners in Preservation (PiP) is a program in which American Express, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, awards preservation grants to historic places across the country. Since 2006, $6.5million has been awarded to preservation projects in the following locations: San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans, Boston, Seattle, Saint Paul/Minneapolis, and New York City.

Through this partnership, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation seek to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of historic preservation in the United States and to preserve America’s historic and cultural places. The program also hopes to inspire long-term support from local citizens for the historic sites at the heart of their communities.

About Partners in Preservation

Partners in Preservation (PiP) is a program in which American Express, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, awards preservation grants to historic places across the country. Since 2006, $6.5million has been awarded to preservation projects in the following locations: San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans, Boston, Seattle, Saint Paul/Minneapolis, and New York City.

Through this partnership, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation seek to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of historic preservation in the United States and to preserve America’s historic and cultural places. The program also hopes to inspire long-term support from local citizens for the historic sites at the heart of their communities.

Led by senior pastor Rev. Ronald E. Braxton and assistant pastor, Rev. Marie P. Braxton, nearly 2000 members and visitors welcomed the president for the dual celebration of his   second inauguration and the holiday honoring the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Pastor Braxton’s sermon, building on the president’s theme for his second term, was entitled, “When Forward is the Only Option,” and may be viewed on our YouTube channel.

The service received wide media attention and the church’s website broke previous records for the number of viewers. The Michigan Chronicle called the visit “significant” not only because it marked Metropolitan’s l75th anniversary year but also because “it underscores Obama’s faith posture, which came under fire during his first term in office with some of the religious right questioning his faith.”

Metropolitan’s leaders voiced regret that some of its congregants were unable to gain access to the church.  Despite waiting up to three hours for the service to begin, however, the congregation inside was in high spirits.  “The songs really highlighted the importance of the faith tradition to our country–especially the Battle Hymn of the Republic,” said Dakarai Aaron, a lifelong member of the church. “While there was certainly a lot of excitement and pride in having the Obama family join us in worship, our congregation did not turn the service into a political rally. We remained focused on celebrating God’s favor and asking God to bless our leaders as they begin a new chapter in their work to solve some of the nation’s biggest challenges.”

It was the first family’s second visit in two years.  However, President Obama’s choice of Metropolitan on such an historic occasion   turned another exciting page in the storied history of the church. [see “Metropolitan: A Brief History"].    The National Cathedral of African Methodism is not only a major center of worship but its strategic location reinforces the wisdom of the former enslaved persons who built and founded the church. They designated it to be of national character “in close proximity” to the nation’s points of power—the White House and the Capitol.  The church’s dedication to continuing to be in the forefront of the civic, cultural, and intellectual life of African Americans will be on display through 2013 as it celebrates its 175^th anniversary.

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Date:
Friday, September 14, 2012
7:30 PM
Martin’s Cross Winds
7400 Greenway Center Drive
Greenbelt, Maryland

MENU: Endless steamed, hard shelled
crabs, plus a sumptuous buffet of succulent beef, pork,
chicken and seafood entrees; tasty vegetables and
salads; luscious desserts; and beverages.

Events: Hand Dancing Contest
Zydeco Dance Demonstration

Tickets: $65.00 per person. Tickets available online or on Sunday.

Children under 12 – $50.00 (Limited number of tickets)

For more information contact: Isiah Dupree at
301-452-8078 or
idupree@hotmail.com

Download and share the Crab Feast flyer!

View more photos from last year’s event.

Sponsored by the Mighty Men of Metropolitan and the Love and Peace Unit of the Sarah Allen Missionary Society

Phase 1 of the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church Restoration is being completed and we are in the midst of planning a time of celebration and thanksgiving for this significant achievement.  As part of this celebration, we will bury a time capsule which will contain items reflecting Metropolitan Church’s current history and the legacy of our membership.  These items will give future generations descriptions of our current congregation and church ministries.

Metropolitan’s time capsule will include a list of the church’s current members, their favorite scriptures, and place of birth.  To be included in this effort, please submit the information requested below.  If you have any questions please contact Gwendolyn Kimbrough (301.654.2616) or Carolyn McClain (202.667.8375).

We hope you will participate.

Please complete the following and submit:

Phase 1 of the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church Restoration is being completed and we are in the midst of planning a time of celebration and thanksgiving for this significant achievement.  As part of this celebration, we will bury a time capsule which will contain items reflecting Metropolitan Church’s current history and the legacy of our membership.  These items will give future generations descriptions of our current congregation and church ministries.

Metropolitan’s time capsule will include a list of the church’s current members, their favorite scriptures, and place of birth.  To be included in this effort, please submit the information requested below.  If you have any questions please contact Gwendolyn Kimbrough (301.654.2616) or Carolyn McClain (202.667.8375). 

We hope you will participate. 

Please complete the following and submit:

Metropolitan AME Church 2nd Annual Historic Preservation and Restoration

CRAB FEAST

Friday, September 16, 2011
7:30 PM

Martin’s Cross Winds
7400 Greenway Center Drive
Greenbelt, Maryland

MENU: Endless steamed, hard shelled crabs, plus a sumptuous buffet of succulent beef, pork, chicken and seafood entrees; tasty vegetables and salads; luscious desserts; and beverages.

Tickets: $60.00 per person

For more information contact Isiah Dupree at 301-452-8078 or idupree@hotmail.com

Sponsored by the Mighty Men of Metropolitan and the Love and Peace Unit of the Sarah Allen Missionary Society

The “Episcopacy Window” – one of twenty-nine (29) windows in The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church (MAMEC) of Washington, DC – was recently restored, as part of the restoration project. Although the church is still undergoing restoration, the 123-year old “Episcopacy Window” – having completed a “journey” from the church to the restoration studio of Higgins & Associates in Front Royal, Virginia – is now back in all of its splendor and beauty, and resting majestically in its original location on the balcony level of the sanctuary. To protect the window during removal for restoration and re-installation, scaffolding was built around the window – both inside and outside.

This brochure was written and produced by Metropolitan A.M.E. Public Relations Commission member Delores Zimmerman‐Jeter with assistance from PRC members Nancy Harvin and Ruby Gourdine. Photographs were provided by Higgins & Associates, Stained Glass Restoration Studio.

Table of Contents:

The Episcopacy Window – Preparation for Removal, Page 1
Interview with Trustee Terry Johnson, Page 3
Interview with Gene Higgins of Higgins & Associates, Page 7
Interview with Reverend Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey, Page 14
Interview with Deaconess Nellie Abner, Page 14
Interview with Reverend Johanna Green, Page 17
Episcopacy Window Angular Pane, Page 21
Episcopacy Window Installed – After Restoration, Page 25
Notes, Page 26

The Capital Campaign Committee continues to gather critical information and research to identify potential leadership donors.  The plan, outlined in 2009, is to approach fundraising as follows:

1. Identify potential donors – ONGOING
2. Research donor potential – ONGOING
3. Schedule introductory phone calls  – IN PROGRESS
4. Schedule the “ask” meeting – IN PROGRESS
5. Follow-up on next steps – IN PROGRESS
6. Secure Donations!!!!

Last year, the Committee was the winning recipient of a grant to fund work being done by a fundraising consultant.  As a result, the consultant created a brochure folder that will be used to solicit potential corporate and philanthropic donors. 

QUIZ QUESTION:  What is the picture in this article? [the answer is in this article] 

What’s going on with the grants?

Julianne King is leading this effort to research grant opportunities for the Committee.  As part of her plan to identify grants, Julianne has tapped the expertise of Lucy Grantham, Director of Foundation and Corporate Philanthropy at the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP).  

WE NEED YOUR HELP?

• Do you have expertise and experience with researching grants through the Federal government’s website:  www.grants.gov?

• Do you work for a corporation that has a foundation or know of anyone who works at a corporate foundation such as Oracle, Marriott, or other corporations in the Washington, DC area?

TAX BENEFITS!!!!!!!  Do you know of a corporation or law firm with deep pockets?  Encourage them to make an “end-of-the year donation” to the Capital Campaign.  This support benefits both Metropolitan and provides the corporation or law firm with a reduction in taxes for 2010!  To learn more, contact Dina Curtis at dcurtis@mlkmemorial.org.

*****
Thanks to the Capital Campaign Committee members who continue to be faithful as we build momentum to bring in critical donations for our historic church such as Faye Fields, Ernie Green, Linda Jefferson, Julianne King, Malaika Jeter, Thedford Collins, Rodney Slater, Gwen Kimbrough, Rollie Kimbrough, Dr. Wilma Harvey, Flavia Walton, Cynthia Morris, Gladys Vaughn, Mother Pearl Cook, and the church office staff!!!

In His Service….
The Capital Campaign Committee
Dr. Elsie Scott, Co-Chair
Dina Curtis, Co-Chair
www.PreserveMetropolitan.org

Answer:      The NEW Capital Campaign brochure cover!