When Drs. Dennis and Christine Wiley led the congregation to remodel and expand the church campus in 1999, their combined theological and artistic sensitivities inspired them to conceive new stained glass windows that would reflect the African values, heritage, and aspirations of the church and the community. The result is 13 windows scattered throughout the church sanctuary, noted for their beauty and relevance, as well as accurate conceptions of what Covenant has become.
The windows were a collaboration between the Wileys and local architect and designer Maurice Jenkins.
The three windows which stand above the choir/pulpit (shown above) are three scences of the historical (ie, Afro-Palestinian) Jesus:
(piano side) His baptism by John (pipe organ side) Praying in the garden of Gethsemene (Above baptismal pool) Christ’s resurrection and ascension
The remaining 10 windows depict the theological vision of Covenant, which our Pastors Emeriti made the basis of their ministry and which we continue to uphold in the 21st century. (photos below)
1. Community Grounded
Related Window: Service Related Scriptures: Matthew 25:36; Joshua 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:58
2. Radically Inclusive
Related Window: Inclusiveness Related Scriptures: Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17-18; Acts 2:21; Mark 11:17
3. Theologically Progressive
Related Window: Liberation, Compassion Related Scriptures: Luke 15:20, 24; Matthew 5:17, 20, 21-48; 6:1, 2; 7
4. Social Justice Oriented
Related Window: Empowerment, Liberation Related Scriptures: Luke 4:18; Acts 1:8; Deuteronomy 6:20-23; Amos 5:21-24
5. Holistically Involved
Related Window: Inspiration Related Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1; Mark 12:30-31
6. Culturally Conscious
Related Window: Heritage Related Scriptures: Psalm 68:31; Hebrews 11:1; Matthew 2:15b; Mark 12:31a; John 1:14
7. Intergenerationally Connected
Related Window: Generations Related Scriptures: Psalm 90:1; Matthew 19:14; 2 Kings 2:9; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 31:7-8; 1 Kings 1:28-30; Ruth 1:16-18; Esther 1:7; Matthew 3:16-17; Acts 18:24-27; 2 Timothy 1:1-2, 5-7
8. Artistically Creative
Related Windows: Creation, Celebration Related Scriptures: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 150:6; Isaiah 43:19-21; 2 Corinthians 5:17
The Rev. William Young IV was born on February 6, 1978 in Louisville, Kentucky to the late Rev. William Thomas Young, III and the late Willie Mae Mitchell-Young. He grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated from the prestigious School for Creative and Performing Arts in 1996. William heard and accepted the call to preach the Gospel at the age of 9 and was licensed to preach on December 27, 1987 at the New Friendship Baptist Church under the Rev. Dr. H.L. Harvey, Jr. Over his formative years, he was able to develop a passion in ministry through New Friendship’s children’s church and by being mentored by denominational and civil rights leaders such as the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, Rev. Terry L. Lane, and Dr. L. Venchale Booth.
William received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2000. He continued his education at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, graduating with a Master of Divinity in 2003. While in Nashville, he was an associate minister at the Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church, where he was also ordained, and served under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. James “Tex” Thomas. In 2003, William was invited to give the keynote address at the Nashville citywide Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorative service at Tennessee State University.
Upon moving to the United Kingdom in 2004, he studied at Birmingham University in England, receiving the M.A. degree in Global Political Economy, the Master of Theology from Edinburgh University in Scotland, and the Master of Philosophy from Glasgow University in Scotland. From 2006-2007, he was an assistant minister at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and served under the Chaplain to the Queen. William organized the first Martin Luther King Day service and the first jazz vespers service in the cathedral. In 2013, he was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacraments in the United Reformed Church (URC).
From 2013-2020 he served as senior Minister of 2 congregations: Morison Memorial URC in Clydebank, Scotland and Drumchapel Essenside URC in Glasgow. He served as a chaplain to the pupils, faculty, and staff of Clydebank High School and was a founding member of Thriving Places Drumchapel, a project aimed at revitalizing one of the most economically vulnerable communities in the city of Glasgow. He was also overseer of Friendship House Drumchapel, a church global cafe and support service for asylum seekers and refugees. In July 2018, he gave the closing address at the mass demonstration against President Donald J. Trump’s visit to the United Kingdom at historic George Square in Glasgow city centre, and organized the City of Glasgow’s Racial Justice Sunday service in February 2020. He is also a founding member of the Global Black Caucus of Democrats Abroad.
Ecumenically, Rev. Young has been active with the World Council of Churches and the Council for World Mission. In 2014, he joined the Scottish Churches Anti Human Trafficking Group, and from 2018-2020 he served as chair. He was also a member of the Strategic Oversight Committee on Human Trafficking policy in Scottish Parliament. As an activist he regularly spoke to churches and social justice organizations throughout Scotland on slavery and racism and was a member of the Church and Society Committee of the URC National Synod of Scotland.
Classically trained as a tenor, William was a member of the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Chorus from 2006-2021, performing every year at the Edinburgh International Festival and throughout the year with the world’s great orchestras. He is also a jazz and blues singer with regular residencies at venues in Edinburgh and Glasgow for many years. He has performed at the Glasgow and Toronto Jazz festivals. He currently sings with The Washington Chorus.
In November 2019, Rev. Young became the eighth pastor of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ, and began his ministry with them on April 1, 2020. He is a member of the Board of Churches for Middle East Peace and Bright Stars of Bethlehem, the Western support body of Dar al Kalima University in Bethlehem.
“No one of us has ever been in a church exactly like Covenant Baptist Church…” Pastor H. Wesley Wiley, June 26, 1977
Covenant Baptist UCC– formerly Covenant Baptist Church– has a unique history of steadfast service and commitment to a constantly changing community. The history of the church, located East of the Anacostia river in the nation’s capital, can be divided into four parts: (1) an all-white beginning; (2) a racial transition; (3) a socio-economic transition; and, (4) a new paradigm for a new day.
Founded in 1945, months after World War II, Covenant began as an all-white congregation aligned with the Southern Baptist Convention. The first services were held at 126 Yuma Street, SE. By 1947, the congregation was incorporated and had grown to the extent that they held worship services in a now-demolished cinema house, the Atlantic Theater.
Covenant grew as the neighborhood of Bellevue/ Congress Heights developed as a post-war haven for mainly young progressive families of white war veterans. The church moved to its present location in 1950 with the completion and dedication of the educational building (“The School”, still in use by community education projects), where the early congregation worshipped until the present sanctuary and additional education space were dedicated in 1959.
Between 1945 and 1968, Covenant was served by four Southern Baptist pastors– Rev. Harry How (1945-1947), Rev. Frank L. Squires (1947-1960), Rev. Roy L. Snell (1960-1963), and Rev. Moncrief Jordan (1963-1968).
Under Pastor Jordan’s leadership, the membership of Covenant peaked in 1965, and the family were resident in the neighborhood, living right across the street in a parsonage on First Street SW. However, membership rapidly declined due to “white flight” and the changing racial makeup of the neighborhood. Finally, in 1968, Rev. Jordan resigned as the church faced a dwindling income and the choice of whether to move the church to the suburbs, remain in the neighborhood, or to close permanently. Rev. Moncrief Jordan went on to become a founding leader of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and our present denominational partner The Alliance of Baptists.
In the midst of racial tension, the white membership chose to stay in Bellevue/ Congress Heights and remain rooted in the community and to welcome their new neighbors. In 1969 the congregation called the Rev. Dr. Herley Wesley Wiley (b. 1914) as pastor, making him the first African American called as senior pastor of a predominantly white congregation in the nation’s capital. By then, the church’s membership had dwindled to 85 and the church reserves had $84.10 left.
Hailing from a family of preachers and possessing decades of pastoral experience in North Carolina and D.C., Dr. H. Wesley Wiley accepted the church’s call at a tremendous sacrifice because he saw it as an opportunity to save the church for the community. He continued his role as Director of Cooperative Ministries with the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention while serving Covenant. With decades of Civil Rights activism behind him, he was a charter member of the Progressive National Baptist Convention in 1961 and participated in the first Poor People’s campaign in 1968-69.
Though initially receiving no salary and only a small travel allowance, Dr. H. Wesley Wiley oversaw the swift transition of Covenant from a predominantly white to a predominantly black congregation. Under his visionary leadership, the church’s membership grew, became multicultural and intergenerational. An early childhood school was established as well as a gospel choir, and “the church on the hill” became a gathering place for the growing African American community. Many of the remaining white members stayed as well, the last of that flagship congregation being Sis. Hilda O’Connor, who is still of blessed memory to all who knew her.
Covenant was one of the first Baptist churches in the D.C. area to ordain women, first as deacons and later into the Gospel ministry. For these actions, the church and pastor were dismissed from membership in the Baptist Minister’s Conference of D.C. and Vicinity.
In 1976, Covenant helped organize the first Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade in D.C. and rallied for the MLK federal holiday until it became so in 1984. For many years, the church was a hub for the parade, even welcoming Stevie Wonder as a grand marshal in January 1980. Wonder publicly previewed his now-iconic song “Happy Birthday” in the sanctuary before the album was released later that year. We continue to serve on the MLKDC committee, and the official MLK citywide service is held here.
Dr. H. Wesley Wiley retired in 1984 and was honored with the title of Pastor Emeritus. He and our former First Lady, Mrs. Doris Wiley, continued to serve the church faithfully as members until their passing from time into eternity, both in 2009.
In 1985, Rev. Dr. Dennis Wayne Wiley (previously Youth Minister and Director of Music) became the sixth pastor of Covenant Baptist Church. As his father had led the church during a period of racial transition, it was the son’s calling to shepherd the church during a period of socio-economic transition. And, whereas the father led the church out of the turbulent sixties, his son would lead the church into the next millennium.
An alumnus of Harvard University and Union Theological Seminary (a Ph.D student of James Cone) with a passion for pastoral ministry, Dr. Dennis W. Wiley successfully bridged the gap between the church and the academy while effectively balancing the church’s priestly and prophetic responsibilities. He also sought to reinforce and broaden the church’s reputation as a beacon of inclusiveness and liberation as well as a hub for theological exploration by scholars and students alike. His numerous accomplishments include the retirement of the first church mortgage, the inclusion of women at every level of church leadership, the founding of the ChristAfrican Institute and the Covenant Full Potential Development Center, a 501(c)(3) community development corporation.
Dr. Dennis Wiley led the church to its first full renovation since 1959, including designing the now-iconic stained glass windows in the sanctuary with architect Maurice Jenkins. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 which affected members of the Bellevue community, we rededicated the church campus to the glory of God with a weekend of events, culminating with the dedication service on September 30, 2001. The great Womanist theologian Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Grant was the dedication preacher.
Rev. Dr. Christine Yvonne Wiley was the first woman ordained into the ministry at Covenant in 1986, and served as Assistant Pastor alongside her husband. In 2004, “A New Paradigm for a New Day” began when the congregation called Rev. Drs. Dennis and Christine Wiley to serve as co-pastors. This bold and unprecedented step made Covenant the first Black Baptist congregation in the Washington metropolitan area to call a husband-and-wife team to serve together as pastors, sharing equal authority and responsibility.
As the seventh pastor of Covenant, Dr. Christine (known affectionately as “Pastor Chris”) complemented her husband with a wealth of gifts and talents in a number of areas, including pastoral care and counseling, Christian education, community outreach, ministerial mentoring, staff supervision, and creative worship. Together, the Wileys modeled the effectiveness of partnership and servanthood between men and women in ministry. The Wileys are spiritual parents to dozens of clergy throughout the nation, and many churches locally have been planted out of their model of ministry.
Since the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, Covenant’s ministry has reached out to those whom most churches have pushed away and condemned. Covenant was pivotal in the development of the Max Robinson Center, a local clinic for survivors of HIV/AIDS. After many years of outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, in 2008 the congregation voted to permit equal marriage, becoming one of the first Black Baptist congregations in the country to collectively affirm such a decision. Many have left Covenant over controversal decisions, whether it was the role of women in leadership or on LGBTQ+ relationships. Nevertheless, Covenant persists in being an open and affirming safe space for all of God’s children.
Covenant left the Southern Baptist Convention in the 1970s. Today, we are in partnership with the American Baptist Churches USA, the Alliance of Baptists and, since 2010, the United Church of Christ.
On October 31, 2017, after over 30 years of service, Rev. Drs. Dennis and Christine Wiley retired as senior pastors. From November 1, 2017 until March 30, 2020, Rev. Dr. Alice B. Greene served as Interim Minister. Devoted to a ministry of nurturing, teaching, and inspiring Christian disciples, Dr. Greene led the congregation through the transition period as the congregation prepared to select, call, and install a permanent, settled pastor.
On October 27, 2019, the congregation called the Rev. William Thomas Young IV to be the eighth pastor of Covenant Baptist UCC. Rev. Young began his service to the congregation on April 1, 2020. Amidst a global pandemic and quarantine in Scotland, Rev. Young delivered his first sermon as Pastor-Elect via video conference on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020.
After a period in observance of protocols during the COVID pandemic, aided well by our Health Ministry, Covenant re-opened our church campus for worship on October 3, 2021, and Pastor Young was duly installed on October 10, 2021.
Throughout the various transitions reflected above, one thing has remained constant: Covenant’s commitment to a ministry of liberation and transformation in an ever changing world. This radical commitment is reflected in the vision statement recited every Sunday morning:
“Affirming our African heritage, our vision is to build an inclusive body
of biblical believers who continue to grow in Christ
as we love, serve, and fellowship with the community and each other.”
