History

Originally called the East Washington Mission, the congregation grew extensively.  The church developed a need for guidance and direction as well as a desire to become a part of an organized body. Thus, our church became a part of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church (C.M.E.). In honor of the Right Rev. Isaac Lane, fifth Bishop of the C.M.E. Church, our church was named Lane Chapel.  In 1954, in response to the growing attention to desegregation, the denomination’s name was changed to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

The original brick building was replaced with a frame structure.  In 1899, under the pastorate of Rev. J.R. White, the frame structure was torn down and the present sanctuary was built.  In 1924, under the pastorate of the late Rev. P.L. Moore, the back addition of the church, which housed the offices, choir room, the basement office and classroom, was constructed.  In 1945, under the pastorate of the late Rev. C.E. Kelley, the long-standing mortgage was liquidated, and the church was renovated.  In 1951, under the leadership of the late Rev. W.C. Doty the parsonage at 1615 East Capital Street, SE was purchased.  During the pastorate of the late Rev. Giles R. Wright (1954-1959), two lots adjacent to the church were purchased.  In 1977, under the pastorate of the late Rev. Allen W. Singh, our present fellowship hall was erected on those two lots.  Under the pastorate of Rev. Marshall J. Jenifer, further renovations were made which included a unique stained set of stained windows which adorn the church.  The windows tell the story of our denomination and proclaim the message of Christ.  In 1993, we installed central air conditioning in the sanctuary and the office building, as well as renovated the offices and the parsonage.  Under the leadership of Rev. H. Shirley Clanton, the outstanding mortgage was again retired and extensive refurbishing of church property, primarily in the sanctuary, has taken place.

Forty pastors have served this congregation including:

Rev. J.E. Purdy Rev. E.L. Johnson

Rev. J.I. Lear Rev. C.E. Kelley

Rev. Young Rev. W.C. Doty

Rev. F.M. Hamilton Rev. Giles R. Wright

Rev. Joseph S. Smothers Rev. W.H. Iverson

Rev. Luckett Rev. T.F. Byers

Rev. E.P. Moon Rev. Ernest Pettigrew

Rev. J.R. White Rev. D.A. Bell

Rev. B. Johnson Rev. J.G. Brathwaite

Rev. J.B. Washington Rev. Allen W. Singh

Rev. C.L. Knox Rev. Ernest Richards

Rev. Roebuck Rev. William S. Fails

Rev. O.B. Hargreaves Rev. Marshall J. Jenifer

Rev. C. Leftwich Rev. Calvin E. Edgerton

Rev. H. Harris Rev. H. Shirley Clanton

Rev. H. Threlkel Rev. Paul Everette

Rev. P.L. Moore Rev. Keré Y. Patterson-Boyd

Rev. A.W. Womack (who was elected Bishop in1950)

Rev. M.L. Breeding (who was elected Gen. Secretary of the Dept. of Kingdom Expansion in 1954)

Rev. G.T. Long

Over the years, several children of Lane have answered the call to the preaching ministry.  Our church family has witnessed the acceptance of this call by five of its sons and three of its daughters: Joseph T. Carter (deceased), Walter Gaskin (deceased). Joseph Collins (deceased), Oliver M. Chase (deceased), Charles H. Roman, Azarine Mayes McClean (deceased), Dr. Paulette M.E. Stevens (deceased), and Marva D. Jones.  In addition to these, the Rev. H. Shirley Clanton, Drexel N. Mitchell, and Kenneth K. DuBose have served as Associate Ministers and received appointments to their first charge from our congregation.

At the 2018 Annual Conference, Bishop James B. Walker merged the congregation of the New Hope C.M.E. Church of Washington, DC NW with the Lane congregation and assigned their pastor, Rev. Francis Coates, as Assistant Pastor of Lane Memorial.

Lane has a long history of community service and has touched the lives of many as carry forth the mandate of Christ.  As a community -oriented church, Lane has ministered to the needs of its Lane has a long history of community service and has touched the lives as we carry forth the mandates of Christ.  As a community-oriented church, Lane has ministered to the needs of its neighbors throughout the years by feeding the homeless, providing a clothes ministry, assisting the bereaved of the community, aiding in job referrals, tutoring, and providing emergency assistance.  Our church served as a meeting place for the Community Golden Challengers, a senior citizens group, and the North Lincoln Park Association.  We served as a recruiting and training site during Census 2000, as well as a voter registration site for the 2000 and 2008 Presidential Elections. We are currently engaging in outreach ministry with Miner Elementary School, as community veteran’s support resource and other projects.

Lane strives to broaden its scope of ministries in order to meet the needs of a changing world.  Some of our ministries are traditional. Others are contemporary.  Ultimately, all of our ministries are birthed out of the same desire – to point souls to Christ.

As we look back over our history, we cannot help but thank God for all of the good examples of His servants who have paved the way before us, whose shoulders we now stand on.  Those are the saints who finished their course in faith and now rest from their labor.  And we thank God for the saints of today who continue to carry the torch of freedom in Christ, those who now work tirelessly for the cause of Christ.

For over 150 years, God has blessed our corner in mighty ways.  As we look back, we see the lives that have been touched, the light that has been shared, and the Gospel message that has been conveyed.  Our Anniversary is a time of reflection, rejoicing, pondering and praise, for all that God has done for us. As we continue to think on Jesus, we pray that we will grow into the church that God desires us to be, so that we might continue to be a blessing to all around us.