A Historic Black Baptist Church in the Heart of Old Town Alexandria
Alfred Street Baptist Church sits on the 300 block of South Alfred Street in Old Town Alexandria, just a few blocks from the Potomac and from the King Street Metro corridor. Its white-painted 1880s-era building, known as the "old church," still stands next to the current sanctuary complex, a tangible reminder that worship on this corner predates the Civil War. The church traces its origins to April 1803, when members living in Alexandria separated from the Backlick Baptist Church on Little River Turnpike to form the Alexandria Baptist Society. Within weeks of organizing, Susan Black, an enslaved woman, was baptized as the society's first Black member. In 1806 the Black members formally established the Colored Baptist Society of Alexandria as a "conjoined" church, making it the first Black Baptist church north of Richmond. By 1850 the African Baptist Society had won complete independence from the white body and adopted its own constitution; in 1855 members built their first known edifice and renamed themselves the First African Baptist Church, paying off the mortgage in two years.
After the Civil War and the disbanding of the conjoined arrangement, the congregation took the name Alfred Street Baptist Church to avoid confusion with the other First Baptist Church across town. The 1880s building still in use today was constructed around the original structure between 1881 and 1884; the basement and foyer were added in 1897. Today the congregation numbers more than 12,000 members and supports over 80 active ministries.
Eight Pastors Across Two Centuries
Alfred Street has had only eight senior pastors in more than 220 years. Rev. William Evans led the Colored Baptist Society from 1806 to 1859. Rev. Sampson White followed from 1859 until 1863, a tenure cut short by the Civil War, when Union soldiers seized the building for use as a hospital and recruiting station and worship moved underground. Rev. Samuel Madden, commissioned by the White House as a Union chaplain, took the pulpit in 1863 and served for 33 years; during his tenure the Senior Choir and the Poor Saints offering began. He was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Truatt (1896 to 1913), Rev. W.H.R. Powell (1914 to 1920), and Rev. Andrew Warren Adkins, the longest-serving pastor at 43 years (1920 to 1963), who opened a 1,600-volume "lending library" for the colored community of Alexandria and helped found Parker Gray High School in 1921. Rev. John O. Peterson served as the seventh pastor from 1964 to 2006; the current sanctuary was constructed in 1981, expanded in the early 1990s, and the mortgage was burned in 2001 during the church's 198th anniversary. Rev. Dr. Faye S. Gunn served as interim pastor in 2007 and 2008.
Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley was elected by a 92 percent congregational vote on February 26, 2008 and installed as the eighth pastor on September 28, 2008. A native of Chicago, Dr. Wesley graduated magna cum laude from Duke University in biomedical and electrical engineering, left medical school to pursue his call to ministry, and earned his Master of Divinity summa cum laude from Boston University School of Theology as a Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and multiple honorary doctorates. Several of his sermons, including "When the Verdict Hurts," "A Rizpah Response," and "Tell Your Own Story," have been archived in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. He was inducted into the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in 2015, named to The Root 100, and honored with the NAACP Chairman's Award at the 47th Annual NAACP Image Awards. He represents the fourth generation of Baptist preachers in his family and serves on boards including Hampton University School of Religion, the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Missionary Convention, and the Flint Hill School Board of Trustees.
Sunday Worship, Saturday Worship, and the Daily Prayer Call
Worship is at the center of life at Alfred Street. There are three weekly in-person services: Saturday at 6:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:00 p.m.), and two Sunday services at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (doors open at 7:15 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.). During July and August, the Sunday services are combined into an "Hour of Power" summer worship experience at the same times. Both Sunday services are streamed live on YouTube, and the church's livestream regularly draws tens of thousands of additional viewers. Seating is limited to each service's filled capacity, and all services are open to members and non-members of all ages.
Beyond the weekend, the Daily Prayer Call rings out Monday through Friday at 7:00 a.m. ET by dial-in (301-715-8592, ID 851 592 7697) and Zoom. Intercessory prayer is offered several times each week by phone: Sundays 5:00 to 6:00 a.m., Wednesdays 12:00 to 12:15 p.m., and Sunday, Monday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 9:00 to 9:30 p.m. The intercessory prayer team also fields requests through email and the ASBC Prayer Wall. Tuesday nights are reserved for Bible study under the teaching of Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, with separate Senior Bible Study and Christian Life Institute tracks. Once a month on the fourth Monday at 7:00 p.m., "Praying with the Pastor" gathers young adults for a more intimate service supported by its own praise team.
What to Expect on a First Visit
The church sits at 301 South Alfred Street, two blocks south of Duke Street. Parking is free on Sundays and Saturdays at several nearby lots, the largest being the Alexandria Gateway Garage across the 300 block of Patrick Street with 190 spaces; the E. Colonial Parking garage at 551 John Carlyle Street offers 600 spaces plus a free shuttle. The Coal Yard lot on Henry Street (40 spaces) opens at 7:00 a.m. on Sundays, and the West Side of Alfred Street between Duke and Gibbon offers 65 spaces from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sundays. The Olde Town West lot (27 spaces) is reserved for Tuesday Bible Study, CAYA services, Senior Bible Study, and Sunday worship. Free shuttles run between the Patent Trade Center garage and the church beginning an hour before each service, with pickup at the south side of Duke Street at Alfred and drop-off on the east side of Alfred at Duke.
Inside the sanctuary, services follow a traditional Black Baptist flow with high-energy gospel music, congregational singing, scripture reading, prayer, choral and instrumental selections from one or more of the church's many ensembles, and expository preaching by Dr. Wesley. Dress runs the gamut from Sunday suits and dresses to business casual; the dressier 11:00 a.m. service tends to be the most formal.
Children and Youth
Children have a full ministry of their own. Kids' Street Children's Church, led by Rev. Marla C. Hawkins, offers age-appropriate worship for children ages 4 to 12 during the 11:00 a.m. service, with music, dance, scripture reading, prayers, and ushering woven in. The Junior Youth Ministry (ages 8 to 12) supplements that programming with fellowship, recreation, and discipleship under the theme "We are building FAITH in Christ through FUN while enjoying FELLOWSHIP with one another." AWANA, WOW, and the Ministers in Training program round out the formation pathway for children.
Middle schoolers in grades 6 through 8 attend Crossover, which meets every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. except the second Sunday of the month in building 325 on the second floor. Older teens, ages 13 to 18, gather for Higher Ground, an online Sunday worship experience at 11:30 a.m. designed around biblical application, experiential learning, and spiritual formation. Higher Ground is led by an elected student e-board including a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, historian, chaplain, and community service chair. The annual Vacation Bible School transforms the church into a rainforest (the 2026 theme is "Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God") for four nights in late June, with parallel in-person and online tracks for ages 2 through 12th grade and a separate online-only Adult VBS.
Young Adults and the CAYA Movement
Come As You Are (CAYA) is a monthly worship experience originally launched by Pastor Wesley for young adults in their twenties and thirties but open to anyone who wants to attend. It meets on the first Wednesday evening of each month in a relaxed setting that opens with food and fellowship before moving into contemporary worship with the CAYA Praise Team and a sermon by Dr. Wesley. A separate CAYA Cares track channels young adults into missions and outreach. The Rev. Robert "Ty" Jones, Assistant to the Pastor for Young Adults, gives overall direction to CAYA and to the wider Young Adult Ministry, which also feeds The Bridge (a community for single adults of all ages), the Undergraduate College Student Outreach Ministry, and the Career Development Ministry. CAYA's reach now extends well beyond Alexandria, drawing young adults from across the Washington metropolitan area.
A Tutorial Ministry Built on a Sankofa Vision
Education has been part of Alfred Street's identity since Rev. Adkins helped found Parker Gray High School in 1921. Today that work continues through the Faye Savage-Gunn Tutorial Ministry, which serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade from September through June. The program operates primarily virtually with select in-person options and follows the motto "Pray, Prepare, Perform." Students rotate through the Reading Room (early childhood reading comprehension), the Abacus Project (early math with the Japanese soroban), Math Lab (high-school-level mathematics), one-on-one virtual tutoring, and education family counseling through ministry collaboration. External partners include Huntington Learning Center (September through June), the Hampton University Summer Programs, The Scholarship Workshop (September), an essay writing bootcamp in April, and the VTech Innovation Campus STEM fair in October. Volunteers commit to a recommended one hour per week during the school year and must pass an ASBC background check.
The Music and Worship Arts Ministry
Music is foundational to the Alfred Street experience. The Music and Worship Arts Ministry, directed by Dr. Joyce Garrett, oversees more than a dozen ensembles serving every age and musical taste. For adults, the Trinity choir handles classical choruses and anthems; Psalms of Praise leans into traditional and contemporary gospel; Voices of Triumph focuses on anthems and spirituals; the Male Chorus sings hymn arrangements and spirituals; Royal Priesthood carries recent contemporary gospel hits; and the Praying with the Pastor Praise Team supports that monthly service. Instrumentalists serve through the Jacqueline Henry-Green Orchestra for children and adults, the Sanctified Symphony Orchestra for more advanced players, and the Joyce K. Peterson Handbell Ringers. Children and youth have their own ensembles: King's Kids (K-4), Gospel Inspirers (grades 8-12), Junior Gospel Inspirers (grades 5-7), and the CAYA Praise Team for young adults. Drama, Faith on Canvas, and the Liturgical Dance Ministry round out the performing arts. Ensembles rehearse on weeknights and Saturdays throughout the year and new members are welcomed at any time.
Family Life Ministries
More than 30 Family Life ministries meet the varied needs of the congregation. The Marriage Ministry offers biblical education, workshops, retreats, and recreational activities for married and engaged couples. The Men's Ministry equips men through biblical study, fellowship, and stewardship; the Women's Ministry builds a community of sisters in the faith. The Seasoned Saints program addresses the spiritual, educational, personal, health, safety, and social support needs of senior members. The Bridge (formerly the singles ministry) welcomes never-married, divorced, and widowed adults. The Single Parents Ministry supports parents with seminars, workshops, and fellowship. The Military Ministry program builds relationships with veterans and their families. The Career Development Ministry runs workshops on resume development, networking, federal-sector interviewing, and pay negotiation. The Entrepreneurs Ministry maintains a business directory at asbcbusinessdirectory.org. The Undergraduate College Student Outreach Ministry serves currently enrolled students ages 17 to 25 with fellowship and a 10-hour community service requirement. The Going Green Ministry promotes environmental stewardship as an extension of faith.
Well Being: Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Care
The Office of Christian Care and Counseling (OCCC), led clinically by Jorge Wallace and pastorally by Rev. Dr. LaTasha L. Morgan, integrates professional mental health care with Christian formation. The team includes a marriage and family therapist (Tiffany Majette) and a certified parent coach (Michele Johnson). The OCCC Self-Care Guide frames self-care as a faith discipline modeled by Christ, encouraging members to build intentional plans across physical, spiritual, psychological, emotional, professional, and personal dimensions. Surrounding ministries under the Well Being umbrella include the A.G.A.P.E. Mental Wellness Ministry (fourth Sundays at 4 p.m.), Beauty for Ashes (supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault), Cancer Awareness, DivorceCare, Faith on Canvas, GriefShare, Hannah's Prayer (infertility support), Health and Wellness, HIV/AIDS, the Recovery Ministry (a 12-Step adaptation meeting the first and third Wednesdays at 7 p.m.), the Sports Ministry, and the Spirit of Love Caregivers Ministry (second Wednesdays at 6 p.m.). The Grief Wellness Care for Children and Teens ministry supports young people ages 5 through college with nine-week sessions on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Pre-marital counseling and counseling referrals round out the OCCC offerings.
Mission and Social Justice
The Missions Ministry grounds Alfred Street's local and international outreach in Matthew 25:35-36 and partners with the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, and the National Baptist Convention, USA. The Family Services Ministry, the Food Closet, the Jail and Prison Ministry (which leads worship at the Alexandria Adult and Juvenile Detention Centers), and the Legal Resources Ministry each address specific community needs. Cub Scouts (K-5), Boy Scouts (6-12), and Girl Scouts (K-12) troops meet at the church. Hidden Halos delivers random acts of kindness across Alexandria, including a recent partnership with Simon Elementary that distributed more than 200 Microsoft workbooks to students in need.
The Social Justice Ministry organizes its work around six pillars, each anchored in scripture: Voter Education and Empowerment, Education Reform, Racial Healing and Reconciliation, Criminal Justice Reform, Economic Justice, and Environmental Justice. The general body meets the first Saturday of each month from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., with leadership meetings on the third Monday of each month. The ministry publishes a Voter's Resource Guide ahead of each election cycle and convenes an annual Candidates and Issues Forum.
Formation, Library, and Sunday School
Christian Education at Alfred Street is built around the goal of "Building Disciples to Win the World for Christ." The John O. Peterson Library, named for the seventh pastor, houses a lending collection of print, audio-visual, and online resources for adults and children. Sunday School meets on Saturday and Sunday with classes for all ages; an Adult Virtual Sunday School option is also available. The Evangelism Ministry uses the "Sharing Jesus Without Fear" curriculum and works hand-in-hand with the Missions Ministry. Baby dedications are scheduled through a dedicated form.
Deacons, Trustees, and Governance
The Board of Deacons numbers 135 members called by God to serve the congregation, led by Deacon Chairman Charles Monterio Jr., Vice-Chairman Russell Easter, and Secretary Erin Payne, along with ten Deacons Emeritus. Deacons shape the church's vision, serve as spiritual leaders, and provide guidance to every ministry. The Church Council operates separately; a Lay Organization provides additional governance support. The Nominating Committee, the spiritual gifts survey, and a detailed leadership directory keep the leadership pipeline active.
Facilities, Weddings, and the ASBC Foundation
The Alfred Street campus includes the historic 1880s "old church," the main sanctuary complex dedicated in 1994, multiple classroom buildings, and a lower parking garage. Weddings are scheduled for members and require completion of the church's marriage preparation process; the church office at (703) 683-2222 fields requests. Funerals and homegoing services are coordinated through pastoral care. The Going Green and Decorations Ministries keep the sanctuary expressive of the liturgical seasons: white for renewed life, green for eternal life, red for the blood of Christ, black for mourning. The ASBC Foundation manages endowed giving and administers the Legacy Scholarship for member students pursuing higher education.
Giving, Communication, and Staying Connected
Members and visitors can give online by ACH or debit card through the ASBC Realm giving portal. The monthly bulletin is published online; sermon slides are posted the same week and remain available through the Sermon Slides archive. Members manage their contact information and give through REALM (the church's member database), and the weekly ASBC Eblast keeps subscribers current on events. Services are livestreamed on YouTube and archived under "Video on Demand." Pastor Wesley's sermons are also available as a standalone feed under the "Pastor Wesley" category on the Video on Demand page.
The Thrift the Tithe Initiative
A distinctive stewardship ministry called "Tithe the Tithe" channels a portion of every ASBC contribution into local and international outreach, ensuring that missions giving moves in lockstep with the church's regular offerings.
Visiting Clergy and the Office of the Pastor
Pastor Wesley maintains an active speaking ministry outside Alexandria, accepting requests for churches, conferences, and secular events three to six months in advance through the Office of the Pastor. Media professionals seeking interviews submit a separate media credential request. Rev. Dr. Wesley is supported in the pastoral office by Executive Assistant Melissa Krothe.
Reaching Alfred Street
The church office at 301 South Alfred Street is open during business hours at (703) 683-2222. Pastoral emergencies after hours are directed through the main line. Email addresses for individual ministries, from the Tutorial Ministry to the Grief Wellness Care for Children and Teens, are listed throughout the church's online directory, allowing members and neighbors to connect directly with the work that matters most to them.