A small group of worshipers gathered in 1760…

and was organized into a church in 1780 by the Rev. Stephen Bloomer Balch, a soldier of the Revolution and a pupil of John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It was the first Presbyterian Church in what was to become modern-day Washington, D. C. It is now the oldest church of any denomination with an unbroken ministry in the District of Columbia. 

Long after the national capital was established many of the baptisms, weddings and funerals in Washington were held in our church. Men and women of every denomination worshiped with us, including many leaders of the young republic. The first, and for many years the only, Protestant church building in Georgetown was erected by our congregation in 1782. Additions were made in 1794 with Thomas Jefferson listed among the contributors.

In 1821, the cornerstone was laid for a new building on Bridge Street (now M Street). The building was moved fifty years later to West Street (now P Street). This is the building which we have restored and in which we now worship.

BALCH TOMBSTONE

A new Stephen Bloomer Balch tombstone, which was commissioned by GPC, now stands proudly near the chapel at Oak Hill Cemetery, dedicated on September 13, 2009. The original tombstone has been refurbished as part of this same project, and is located on the ground floor of Balch Hall.

Our pastors remember

The GPC Heritage Committee published this collection of oral history interviews with nine former pastor in 2011.

Jolene Blozis, a member of the Heritage Committee, gave a presentation about this book at the December 4, 2011 Adult Issues Class.

Our Senior Pastors