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History

The Mount Carmel Baptist Church was organized in 1876, with 275 former members of Second Baptist Church. Having been led by the Holy Spirit, they worshiped at several local sites in the Northwest section of the District of Columbia, including the Old Columbia Law Building on Fifth Street. In 1914, during the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. William Henry Jernigan, the Mount Carmel flock marched from 4th and "L" Streets, N.W., to 901 Third Street, N.W., where it has remained.

A new edifice was built under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. Rossie Leonard Patterson. On Sunday, October 19, 1980, the membership entered with a Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication. The service of Laying of the Cornerstone was held on Saturday, September 12, 1981. God blessed our Church family to celebrate the mortgage burning on Sunday, November 2, 1986.

The Church has had ten Pastors during its history. From 1876 to 1892, the first 16 years of the church's existence and during what was called the turbulent years, four Pastors served as undershepherds of the Mount Carmel flock. The first Pastor was Reverend J.W. Rhone . He was followed by Reverend H. Plummer . The third Pastor of Mount Carmel was Reverend S.G. Lampkins , and our fourth Pastor was Reverend G. Gray . The Church was stabilized under the pastorate of Reverend W.P. Gibbons , who as Pastor for 20 years from 1892 to 1912. Rev. Dr. William H. Jernigan became our sixth Pastor in 1912 and served with distinction for 46 years until 1958. Mount Carmel received much national and international recognition during the Jernagin years. His accomplishments were numerous, including founder of several institutions, one of which is the Washington Baptist Seminary.

Reverend Rossie L. Patterson , our seventh pastor, served for 27 years from 1959 to1986. His accomplishments were also numerous, including serving as Dean of the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Our eighth pastor, Reverend Albert Gallmon, Jr. , served from February 1987 until August 1993. During Reverend Gallmon's pastorate, two first-time events took place: Reverend Lesa D. Cheathem was ordained a minister of the Gospel and became the first female to serve as a minister in Mount Carmel's history. Reverend Ernest A. Hickerson was made the first salaried Assistant Pastor. The church operated under the leadership of Reverend Ernest A. Hickerson and the Board of Senior Deacons from September 1993 until January 1995. The Reverend Dr. Charles W. Green served as the Interim Pastor from February 1995 through April 1996. He provided spiritual leadership in teaching and preparing Mount Carmel for a new pastor and entrance into the 21st century

Our ninth pastor, Reverend Dr. Albert A. Avant, Jr. , served from May 1, 1996 until July 2, 2000 and was formally installed on Sunday, September 29, 1996. During Reverend Avant's pastorate, the church was restructured into six ministries and departments. In 1997, three members were licensed to preach the gospel of Christ: Ministers Sharon L. Avant, Gloria Bland and Keith L. Magee . In 1998, Reverend Sharon L. Avant was ordained a minister of the Gospel and became the second female to served as a minister at Mount Carmel. Additionally, Minister Lavern Hicks was licensed to preach the gospel of Christ.