For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:10, KJV)
Our mission: The Board of Deaconesses is responsible for assisting the pastor and the Board of Deacons in ministering to the spiritual needs of the congregation and meeting our covenant responsibilities. The duties of the board are to care for the church family by supporting members and connecting with them (especially the sick and shut-in) via calls, cards, gifts, and visits, and assisting families during times of bereavement.
Our work: As spiritual servant leaders, the board engages in projects for the church and the community. The board supports churchwide initiatives, holds fellowship events, and helps the church reach beyond its walls by leading outreach projects for organizations such as homeless resident shelters, centers for children in need, and resource centers for abused women and their children. Looking to the future, the board will continue to build on a fruitful legacy of service and love as we gratefully receive God’s new mercies every day and strive to give it unselfishly to others.
If you have a need that can be met by the Deaconess Board or would be interested in learning about becoming a deaconess, please reach out to us through any member, send an email to deaconesses@19thstreetbc.org, or leave a message at the church office, 202-829-2773.
Our history: For many years, a group of women, about seven in number, known as the “Mothers of the Church,” assisted the deacons in caring for the sick and aged members of the church. As the congregation increased in numbers, so did the spiritual needs of the church family. On June 5, 1905, the church formally organized a group of sisters and the seven “Mothers” as the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Deaconess Board. Women who answer the call of spiritual servant leaders are consecrated as deaconesses to continue the mission set forth by our forbearers. We pray that God will continue to guide us in building upon our legacy of service and love.
Deaconess Board Executive Officers
Chair – Evangeline Stevens
Vice Chair – E. Louise White
Recording Secretary- Jean Jackson
Corresponding Secretary – Brenda Lightening-Tolbert
Financial Secretary – Gloria Smith
Assist. Financial Secretary – Catherine Cheatham
Treasurer – Dena Bowen
Assistant Treasurer – Cathy Nunn
Chaplain – Margaret Corbin
Assistant Chaplain – Sharon Tucker
Parliamentarian – Kyra Wooden
Sergeant at Arms – Maureen Young
Historian – E. Louise White
All Deaconess Board Members
Patricia Andrewn
Eleanor Banks
Elizabeth Banks
Margarette Blakemore
Dena Bowen
Kathryn Brooks
Sandra Caviness
Catherine Cheatham
Margaret Corbin
Mattie Gay
Gwen Harris-Gale
Pat Hodge
Jean Jackson
Sageta Jackson
Joan Jefferson
Barbara Johnson
Hester Jones
Jean Jordan
Patricia Kilby-Robb
Sharon Miller
Mamie Montague
Cathy Nunn
Dorothy Smith
Gloria Smith
Evangeline Stevens
Irish Stovall
Pearl Sudduth
Gloria Tisdale
Brenda Lightening-Tolbert
Sharon Tucker
Eloise Turner
Martha Ward
Mozelle Watkins
E. Louise White
Monique Wiley-Crawford
Kyra Wooden
Maureen Young