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In 1955 the congregation added a parish hall, kitchen, clergy apartment, central heat and indoor plumbing, thanks in part to funding provided by the Diocese of Virginia.By 1989 the congregation filled the tiny nave to bursting each Sunday and the parish decided to expand the building in order to welcome more worshippers. During the year in which the church was under construction, members of Meade Memorial joined their fellow Episcopalians and worshipped together at The Church of St. Clement on Quaker Lane. The new worship space was turned 90º and the altar was moved from the wall toward Patrick Street to stand against the wall toward Princess Street. The congregation wanted to incorporate as much of the old church as possible into the new church. The cross behind the altar is constructed from 12"x12" pine timbers that supported the center of the old church floor. The visible ceiling beams come from the old church's floor joists. The wainscoting is red cedar that lined the walls of the old church. Walls toward
Alfred and Princess Streets are original. Outside, the paving bricks
and wrought iron fence around the courtyard come from the old church.
Cast in 1871, the bell out front called neighbors to worship and,
around 1875, also served as the school bell for local black children
who attended the day school operated at Meade Church. The beautiful stained glass windows that grace our church today were designed by a group of parishioners working with an artist from Stained Glass Associates of Raleigh, NC. Figures portrayed in the windows include people of different ages, colors and races, reflecting the rich African American heritage of our congregation. In some of the windows, Christ looks black and in other windows he looks white.
The windows
show biblical figures situated in contemporary settings found in
our neighborhood around Meade Church. Note the patterned bands in
many of the windows that reflect the beauty of traditional African
strip weaving. |
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Established
in 1869 as a mission of nearby Christ Church, Meade Memorial Church
moved from Columbus and Oronoco Streets to this location in 1908.
The original church building at this site consisted of one room,
without running water and warmed by a hand-fired coal furnace under
the floor. For nearly 50 years, the faithful men of Meade arrived
early on cold Sundays to stoke the coal furnace and warm the church
before the start of services.
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The multi-colored light of this window highlights the large cross built from the beams taken from the original church nave. On the cover photo of this window, note the large stone of Virginia black granite on which the cross stands. This window was given by the Craven family. The wooden wall in front of the window was given in memory of Pearlie Mills Mitchell Moore and Ernestine Wingate Mitchell by their sons Curtis L. Moore, John A. Moore, Jr., George K. Mitchell, Jr., Obie R. Mitchell, and Ernest L. Mitchell. |
This more traditional
window graces the door to the new church sacristy. Images in this
window show the wheat and grapes that yield bread and wine for Holy
Eucharist. This window was given in memory of William and Cometa
George of Anegada, British Virgin Islands by their children Albena
George Hawley, Malcolm George, Sezilee George White, Donald George,
Ernestine George Scatliffe, Daisy George Smith and grandchildren
Lucila George Woodard, Margot George Nuñez, and Abraham Alfonso
George. |
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Here
we see Jesus surrounded by children of different races who have
come for baptism. This baptistry area shows, by its location at
the original entry to the church, that through baptism we enter
into the household of God. This window was given in thanksgiving
for children and grandchildren. |
Inspired by
Georges Roualt's painting entitled "Le Saint Face," this
window portrays Jesus as the Lord of the City. It was given by Agnes
M. Edwards, Eva W. Ladray, and Estelle C. Ladray in memory of Earl
Edwards and Dr. Henry M. Ladray. |
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The text comes from John 8:12. The Virgin Mary, modeled after Sojourner Truth here, cradles the baby Jesus amidst a contemporary Alexandria street scene. This window was given in memory of Mrs. Annie Catherine Mobley by Melvin Mobley, Jr., Celie, and granddaughters Ashlee and Brittany.Click Here to View the Full Window |
This unusual
depiction of the crucified Jesus Christ hides Jesus' features beneath
his cast-down face. This window was given by Joseph Royster, Jr.
in memory of his family. |
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This first of
two windows inspired by quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. portrays
Jesus holding the whole world in his hands. It was given by William
D. and Karen S. Rowe. |
The second window inspired by the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. Here young people of different colors dance in joyous celebration of their emancipation from slavery. We rejoice that Christ liberates us all from slavery and oppression of sin. This window was given by Gloria Ward and Robert P. Lewis and dedicated to their children and grandchildren.Click Here to View the Full Window |
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Meade Church
is depicted as ministering to its Alexandria neighbors. Carpenter's
Shelter started as a program of Meade Church, protecting the homeless
of Alexandria within Meade's sheltering walls. This window was given
in memory of Barbara Winston Randall Burton.. |
He
is risen! Two women, one
black and one white, run from the empty tomb where they have discovered
our Lord's resurrection. This window was given to Meade Church by
the Church of St. Clement in memory of "our year together."
At the dedication of the newly remodeled church, sopranos Eudora
Forrest from Meade and Joan Shaw from St. Clement stood together
beneath this window and sang "I've Just Seen Jesus".
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Text
by Rev. Beth Palmer Photos by Charles Cason |
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The
cross of Christ
Come
unto me
Who
do you say I am?
The
light of the world
By
his stripes, we are healed
Live
together as brothers, Or perish as fools
Free
at last
When
I was hungry
