National Presbyterian Church

The National Presbyterian Church (NPC) is a church located in Washington, D.C. affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Location

NPC is located in the Tenleytown neighborhood in Washington on Nebraska Avenue next to NBC (WRC-TV) and across from the Japanese Embassy. American University is within walking distance of the campus, along with the Tenleytown-AU stop on the Red Line of Metro. The address is 4101 Nebraska Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-2735.

Services

NPC offers services throughout the week, however the majority of services are on Sunday. Sunday morning services are 8:00 (Chapel of the Presidents), 9:15 (Sanctuary), and 11:00 (Sanctuary).

History

The National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, has a history that spans four congregations since 1795, and is a traditional mainline church of the Reformed faith. The following historical timeline begins with the designation of the congregation as the national church of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Worship services are held at 9:15 and 11 a.m. each Sunday, and classes for adults, children, and youth are held at 9:15 a.m. To learn more, visit: National Presbyterian Church's web site; [1]

1940s

1946

• General Assembly votes to designate First Covenant Church as the National Presbyterian Church. The church at that time was located at Connecticut Avenue at L Streets, N.W. on the present site of the ABC News building.

1947

• Dr. Edward Elson called as Senior Pastor.
• National Church dedicated in Washington with President Harry S. Truman and Dr. Elson
• Sunday Evening Club founded.

1949

• Proposals from several architectural firms for possible design and location of the new church.

1950s

1953

• Chancel Choir perform at opening concert of the National Symphony Orchestra. President Dwight D. Eisenhower is baptised at the church by Dr. Elson.

1955

• Dr. Billy Graham preaches at NPC.

1956

• Chancel Choir gives first Washington performance of Aaron Copland’s “Canticle of Freedom” with National Symphony.

1957

• Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attend worship.

1960s

1960

• Dr. Norman Vincent Peale opens Lenten Service Series.
• Chancel Choir performs at White House at state dinner for Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.

1963

• Chancel Choir gives first Washington performance of the Duruflé “Requiem” while President John F. Kennedy’s body lies in state at Capitol.

1964

• Henry M. Luce III, J. Howard Pew, and Hollywood actor Jimmy Stewart join in the Building Fundraising Program.

1965

• Building fund program surpasses the $5 million mark.

1966

• May 22 ground-breaking ceremonies held at Nebraska Avenue campus during “Worship under Canvas.”
• June 5, last service at N Street church.

1967

• October 14, Cornerstone laid at Nebraska Avenue location with President Eisenhower and Dr. Elson.

1969

• September 6, First worship service held in Nebraska Avenue sanctuary.

1970s

1970

• Duke Ellington and Orchestra play as part of yearlong celebration in new sanctuary.

1972

• Dr. Lowell Russell Ditzen, Director of the National Presbyterian Center broadcasts weekly TV program Current Religion on NBC.

1973

• Dr. Louis H. Evans, Jr. called as Senior Pastor.

1978

• Mother Theresa speaks at church to Women’s Association event.

1980s

1980

• Associate Justice of the Supreme Court William O. Douglas state funeral held at National.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Vesper Service is initiated at church. President Ronald Reagan was a church member.

1981

• Dr. Thomas A. Stone retires as Assoc. Pastor; fellowship hall named in his honor.

1982

• NPC’s handbell choir is established.

1983

• C. S. Lewis Summer Institutes begin in the Christian Education Program.

1986

• Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly Moderator Rev. Benjamin Weir freed as hostage in Lebanon; NBC broadcasts his remarks live from sanctuary.

1987

• August 9, Dr. Peggy Cantwell called as first woman Assoc. Pastor at NPC.

1988

• Parish system established for church families according to geographic regions.

1989

• President of South Africa, Fredrik W. de Klerk attends worship service with Dutch Ambassador.

1990s

1991

• Dr. Bryant M. Kirkland called by Session as Interim Pastor.

1993

• Dr. M. Craig Barnes called as Senior Pastor.

1995

• Church Member and Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court, Warren Burger funeral – President Clinton and Cabinet attend with Congress.
• Church celebrates its bicentennial with a grand celebration in October.

1997

• Women’s Association Bazaar nets $43,000 for mission programs.

2000s

2002

• Dr. Thomas A. Erickson is called by Session as Interim Pastor.

2003

• February 16 snowstorm paralyzes Washington with more than 17 inches of snow. Church services cancelled for first time in more than 40 years.

2004

• In July, the Congregation calls Dr. Gareth W. Icenogle as the new Senior Pastor at National.

2008

• The Congregation calls Rev. Earl Palmer as NPC's Preaching Pastor in Residence.

References

Coordinates: 38°56′31.3″N 77°4′53.4″W / 38.942028°N 77.0815°W / 38.942028; -77.0815