History
Founded in 1843, Ryland Epworth United Methodist Church is the product of three congregations.
The first, Ryland Church, started in 1843 in Southwest Washington. Ryland purchased land in Southeast in 1940 and erected its present day Neo-Gothic sanctuary in 1944.
In 1973, Ryland opened its doors to Epworth Church (originally located in Northeast) after hearing about its pending closure. Four years later, when the 133-year-old Anacostia United Methodist closed, the congregation joined with Ryland Epworth UMC.
Today, Ryland Epworth United Methodist Church seeks to create a healthy growing Christ-centered community to help spirit filled disciples to go and make other disciples thereby furthering the Kingdom of God.
Our Beliefs
As United Methodists, we have an obligation to bear a faithful Christian witness to Jesus Christ, the living reality at the center of the Church’s life and witness.
To fulfill this obligation, we reflect critically on our biblical and theological inheritance, striving to express faithfully the witness we make in our own time.
Our Pastor
Rev. Dr. Samuel Holdbrook-Smith was born in Ghana in West Africa where he received his early Christian education before migrating to the United States of America. He holds a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Liberty University School of Theology in Lynchburg, Virginia, with honors; Master of Divinity Degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He has been assigned to Ryland Epworth UMC since July 1, 2018.
Rev. Dr. Holdbrook-Smith is a Holy Spirit empowered preacher and teacher of the Word of the only True and Living God and His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is blessed with and sustained by a supportive and lovely wife, Marjorie Holdbrook-Smith.
About Us
Engaging Worship Experience Every Sunday from 9:30 am to 11:00 amRyland Epworth United Methodist is a small United Methodist Church serving the Hillcrest and Randle Highlands neighborhoods in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is located at the corner of Pennsylvania Ave SE and Branch Ave SE. Sunday Worship Services @ 9:30 AM. (Virtual Worship Services @ 9:30 AM via Zoom, for more information please email reumc7255@gmail.com)
Our Vision Statement: To be a healthy, growing, Christ-centered community that develops and equips disciples to help others to become disciples of Jesus Christ.
