Luther Place Memorial Church

Luther Place Memorial Church (Washington, D.C.) was built in 1873 as a memorial to peace and reconciliation following the Civil War. It was originally named Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church and was designed by architects Judson York, J.C. Harkness, and Henry Davis. The church, like many others, resembles the shape of a ship, symbolizing a vessel for God's work. Today, the red church is easily identified from Thomas Circle in Washington, D.C. by the statue of Martin Luther that stands tall in front of the church. Given as a gift in 1884 by the German emperor, the statue is a replica of the one in Worms, Germany, and led the church to change its name to Luther Place Memorial Church.

History

Luther Place is known both nationally and internationally for its outreach ministries - an achievement that took almost a century to be realized. Being in an urban setting, the church was forced to face several urban issues and injustices, including racism, poor education, and homelessness and poverty. From the start, the church advocated for African-American rights, operated a free infirmary for 30 years that served over 25,000, and provided classroom space to the DC public schools. In 1904, Luther Place suffered damage from a fire, leading to restoration of the church and a renewed energy and celebration of its mission. President Theodore Roosevelt spoke at the restoration ceremony, saying, "The Lutheran Church is destined to become one of the two or three greatest churches, most distinctly American." During the first half of the 20th century, Pastors George Diffenderfer, Carl Rasmussen, and Walter Freed ran centers for inner city children, co-sponsored the Lutheran Inner Mission Society of Washington (now Lutheran Social Services), organized the DC Council of Churches, created the World Service Society, and expanded ministries through radio and television. Meanwhile, 14th St and N St were filled with drug trafficking and prostitution. Tensions were rising all over the US, and in 1968, followed the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. As 14th St was burning, Pastor James Singer desired to take action. He spoke with the insurer of the church, saying he would like to open the church's doors so that those losing their homes could take refuge. The response was unfortunate, as Singer was told that the insurance would not cover such a decision. Pastor Singer and the church council decided to open the doors nonetheless, and over the next five days, the church sheltered, fed, and clothed more than ten thousand people.

N-Street Village

This act of opening the church's doors greatly affected the Luther Place congregation, becoming more and more of their mission over the following years. The members of the church learned quickly that such service and hospitality was not easy, and many members decided to leave. In the early 1970s, Pastor John Steinbruck led the congregation in seeking its reason for being. The church owned property on N Street that was, at the time, filled with row houses that were being abused with drugs and prostitution. Many members of the church wanted to clear the block and build a parking lot - a wise move for any urban church. However, in the winter of 1971, a homeless man froze to death about a block from the church, once again calling Luther Place to action. Pastor Steinbruck suggested that what is being used for bad could potentially be used for good. This optimism was only the beginning of a $17 million building project that resulted in N Street Village - a continuum of care for homeless women, finished in 1973. That same year, Luther Place was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

N Street Village offers short and long-term shelter, case management, substance abuse and employment services, affordable housing, inner-city ministry education, and advocacy. Luther Place remains closely tied to N Street, housing a night shelter on the fourth floor for homeless women - one of the first steps into the programs at N Street.

Lutheran Volunteer Corps

In 1979, Luther Place founded the Lutheran Volunteer Corps - an organization that places young adults as volunteers with non-profit organizations in twelve different cities in the US for one year. The volunteers are encouraged to actively work towards intentional community, social justice, and simplicity/sustainability while exploring ideas of faith and spirituality.

Reconciling In Christ

Luther Place also advocates for gay, lesbian, and transgender rights and inclusion, becoming a Reconciling In Christ congregation in 1995.

Steinbruck Center for Urban Studies

As Luther Place and its ministries have grown, it became clear that the stories needed to be shared. So, in 2001, the Steinbruck Center for Urban Studies was created as a means of educating others about the work of Luther Place and N Street Village, the complex causes of homelessness and poverty, and how to create change through awareness in any city. Named for John and Erna Steinbruck, the Center brings in youth groups, college groups, seminarians, groups of adults, or any others seeking urban transformation and provides programming centered around homelessness.

Today

So much outreach has kept Luther Place from caring for itself, so in 2007, a much-needed restoration of the interior of the sanctuary took place. The church is well-known for its stained glass windows picturing twelve reformers: Gustavus Adolphus, John Huss, John Wicklif, Philip Melanchton, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Harriet Tubman, John Knox, John Calvin, Ulric Zwingli, and John Wesley.

Luther Place continues to welcome new worshipers, offering services at 9am (contemporary) and 11am (traditional) on Sunday mornings. To learn more about the church today, check out the website.

The Mission of Luther Place

"Luther Place serves as a refuge, a hospice, a place where there is space for the visitor who passes by or who comes to stay. We serve not only those who gather to be nourished on God's Word, but all who come this way.

The people of Luther Place believe themselves to be guests in God's Creation and servants in and through this house and village at Thomas Circle. In cooperation with other religious communities we offer to you and the capital the continuum of care known as N Street Village, working to restore Shalom in the midst of urban struggle. We welcome you and invite you to share the joyful responsibilities of being faithful innkeepers who are called to make room for others, and for God's presence here at Luther Place: for travelers, commuters, wanderers, the homeless, the poorly clothed, the sick, the lonely, and for all those who seek the 'peace that passes understanding.'

There is a special joy in being Christ's servant-hosts at Thomas Circle. Our hope and experience is to find wholeness in welcoming the Christ in others, especially in those who have been cast out and come to Luther Place seeking to be recognized, accepted, affirmed, and to receive and to give new life."

"When strangers sojourn with you in your land, you shall not do them wrong. The strangers who sojourn with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love them as yourself: for I am the Lord your God." - Leviticus 19:33--34