Luther Place Memorial Church

Our History


1873	Initial worship service as Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church, the city's first English language Lutheran congregation
1874	Dedication of newly constructed church edifice as a "memorial to God's goodness in delivering the land from slavery and war"
1884	Statue of Martin Luther dedicated, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Reformer's birth
1889	N Street Infirmary opened by son of first pastor
1904	Main tower, windows, and much of chancel destroyed by massive fire
1905	Church building reopened. Address given by Theodore Roosevelt
1971	Lutheran Social Services food and clothing distribution center opened
1973	Luther Place added to National Register of Historic Places
1973	Deborah's Place, the city's first residence for homeless women, opened
1974	Zacchaeus Free Medical Clinic opened
1975	Bread for the City opened
1976	Luther Place Emergency Shelter opened
1979	Lutheran Volunteer Corps program begun
1980	Sarah House opened to serve those suffering from substance abuse
1985	Carol Holmes House opened to serve women suffering from mental illness
1988	Dedication of memorial burial plot for homeless persons
1988	Raoul Wallenberg House opened to serve seniors suffering from mental illness
1990	Harriet Tubman House opened to provide pre-treatment for those suffering from substance abuse
1992	Anna Center opened to provide housing for women recovering from previous substance abuse
1996	Construction of Eden House and Promise Place completed
1997	Early Childhood Development Center opened

1226 Vermont Avenue NW Washington DC 20005

Phone: 202-667-1377