Board of Deaconesses
For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:10, KJV)
Our mission: The Board of Deaconesses is responsible for assisting the pastor and the Board of Deacons in ministering to the spiritual needs of the congregation and meeting our covenant responsibilities. The duties of the board are to care for the church family by supporting members and connecting with them (especially the sick and shut-in) via calls, cards, gifts, and visits, and assisting families during times of bereavement.
Our work: As spiritual servant leaders, the board engages in projects for the church and the community. The board supports churchwide initiatives, holds fellowship events, and helps the church reach beyond its walls by leading outreach projects for organizations such as homeless resident shelters, centers for children in need, and resource centers for abused women and their children. Looking to the future, the board will continue to build on a fruitful legacy of service and love as we gratefully receive God’s new mercies every day and strive to give them unselfishly to others.
If you have a need that can be met by the Deaconess Board or would be interested in learning about becoming a deaconess, please reach out to us through any member, send an email to deaconesses@19thstreetbc.org, or leave a message at the church office, 202-829-2773.
Our history: For many years, a group of women, about seven in number, known as the “Mothers of the Church,” assisted the deacons in caring for the sick and aged members of the church. As the congregation increased in numbers, so did the spiritual needs of the church family. On June 5, 1905, the church formally organized a group of sisters and the seven “Mothers” as the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Deaconess Board. Women who answer the call of spiritual servant leaders are consecrated as deaconesses to continue the mission set forth by our forebearers. We pray that God will continue to guide us in building upon our legacy of service and love.
2025 Board of Deaconesses
Chair – Brenda Lightening-Tolbert
Vice Chair – Kyra Wooden
Recording Secretary – Monique Wiley-Crawford
Corresponding Secretary – Dena Bowen
Financial Secretary – Pearl Sudduth
Assistant Financial Secretary – Jean Jackson
Treasurer – Cathy Nunn
Assistant Treasurer – Mattie Gay
Chaplain – Barbara Young Johnson
Parliamentarian – Maureen Young
Sergeant-at-Arms – Sharon Tucker
Historian – E. Louise White
Elizabeth Banks
Margarette Blakemore
Sandra Caviness
Catherine Cheatham
Anika S. Cooper
Pat Hodge
Joan Jefferson
Jean Jordan
Patricia Kilby-Robb
Sharon Miller
Evangeline Stevens
Eloise Turner
Mozelle Watkins
Deaconesses Emeriti
Eleanor Banks
Kathryn Brooks
Mamie Montague
Dorothy Smith
Gloria Tisdale
Martha Ward