The mission of the Jarvis Memorial Club is to serve the church by providing gifts of love to the pastor, assistant pastor, and other ministerial staff. It also shows Christian love and kindness throughout the congregation and beyond. The guiding scripture is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
The Jarvis Memorial Club (known as the “Love Club”) was established on December 14, 1902 by the late Deacon Henry Jarvis. Dubbed a dapper dresser, Deacon Jarvis formed the organization to help ensure that the pastor was always well dressed. The club has served four pastors during its years of existence. In 1983, the entire ministerial staff was included in our service. In July 2022, the club added a Clothes Closet to provide free clothing to local residents. Clothes are distributed on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the church fellowship hall.
“Love Ye One Another” is the club’s motto. The chosen flower is the red rose and the colors are red and gold, all symbolizing love.
Each year, the club sponsors a concert that enables us to give love tokens to the pastor and ministerial staff. The items for the Clothes Closet are donated by church members, family and friends. Club members also give time, talent, and treasure by supporting many of the church’s ministries:
- Toys for Tots drive
- Jubilee Sunday
- Homecoming Sunday
- Thanksgiving dinners
- Global Missions Ministry
- Progressive Adults’ fundraising activities.
The club meets on the fourth Sunday in March, June, September, and December. All church members interested in serving God through this ministry are invited to join. The club also welcomes clothing donations and volunteers who can help sort, fold, and hang clothing. Those volunteers must be able to climb stairs.
If further information is needed, contact Deacon Sandra Keaton Brown, president of the Jarvis Memorial Club, at JarvisMemorial@19thstreetbc.org or 202-302-2323, or call the church office at 202-829-2773.