The rapid growth of Washington Suburbia in the Piscataway section of Prince George's County, indicated a need for an activated Methodist parish to serve residents of this area. Accordingly, at the June 1961 meeting of the Baltimore Annual Conference  the Reverend Harold C. Wolf  was assigned  as  pastor  for  the  newly incorporated area  of  Fort Washington.

Recording Steward ----

Mrs. Marjorie Gordon

The new church was officially named "The Fort Washington Methodist Church," and was duly declared  constituted.  The Quarterly  Conference   was   then  convened  and  the  slate  of officers  was  approved   by   unanimous   ballot.

July 1, 2002

The Fort Washington United Methodist Church officially became a Blended Parish with the Providence  United  Methodist Church  family.

(Non-designated)

Mr. Thomas DeRieux

Mrs. Alicia Faya

Mrs. Emera Bailey

Mrs. Donna Payne

Mr. Donald Ludke

Mrs. Margaret Theus

Miss Betty Dille

Mrs. Mary Downer

Mr. Fred Wineland

Mrs. Lydia Bashoor

Mr. Charles Carpenter

Mrs. Marjorie Gordon

Mr. James Border

Mr. Newell Daugherty

Mrs. Constance Collins

Mr. Thomas DeMarr

The Elective Stewards ----

The site of the Fort Washington Methodist Church and the surrounding area was at one time inhabited by  the Piscataway Tribe of Indians.  A peace loving people, highly agricultural in pursuits,   they   were   among   the   first   Maryland  Indians to  meet  the  colonial   settlers.

In 1628, Leonard Calvert of England visited this area and met with Tayac, tribal chieftain of the Piscatawans.  Calvert returned to England a year later and prepared a patent for the lands he had seen. In 1632 Cecil, eldest of the Calvert sons, received  a   charter   from   Charles   I   for   the   land   to   be   called   Maryland   in   honor  of  Queen   Henrietta   Maria.

The area known as Piscataway originally covered many miles running from Piscataway Bay on the Potomac, including what now is Calvert Manor, along the creek to the present town of Piscataway, thence northward to Broad Creek and Westward to  the Potomac.   These boundaries  effectively    defined  the   region   that   was   served   by   the   Fort Washington Methodist Church.

July 2, 1961

The  first  formal  service  of   worship  signifying   the   beginning   of   the   Fort  Washington Methodist  Church  was held on  July   2,   1961  in    the   auditorium   of    the   Fort Washington  Forest Elementary  School.  At  this  first  service  the Reverend H. C. Wolf discussed the expanding Piscataway area and invited all interested area residents to join in the realization of this goal.  It was announced that by permission of the County Department of Education regular worship services would be held in the Fort Washington Forest Elementary School until such time as a church could be built.  This first  service had sixteen children present   for   church   school   and   fifty-eight   adults  present   for   the   worship service.

August, 1961

During  the  first two months of worship approximately  twenty   memberships  were recorded. From these memberships a Board of Directors was selected to help guide the church through its formative period.  The Board of Directors consisted of Mrs.  Lydia Bashoor,   Mr.  Fred Wineland,   Mr.   Donald   Ludke,   Mrs.  Marge   Gordon,   Mr.  Newell   Daugherty, and Mr. Charles Carpenter.

September 14, 1961

The Board of Directors convened for the first time at the home of Reverend H. C. Wolf.  The prime objective  agreed upon at  this meeting  was  for  the  new  church  to  be  chartered before  the  end   of   the  year.

September 17, 1961

On the third Sunday in September, 1961, the first baptismal ceremonies were held.  At these ceremonies the following children of congregation  members were baptized:  Timothy Collins, Connie  Sue  Collins,  Beth  Collins,   DeeAnn Collins, Fred  Kirwan  Wineland,   Rachel Theus, and   Paul  Theus.

October 1, 1961

On World Wide Communion Sunday, the church observed its first Holy Communion. Approximately fifty worshipers participated  in  this  service  which  included  dedication  ceremonies  for   the   newly  acquired   chancel.

After  the  church  services,  the  Board  of  Directors  authorized  funds  for  the  purchase  of an  electronic  organ.

November 12, 1961

Weekly meetings of an Adult Discussion group were inaugurated under the leadership of Reverend Wolf. These  meetings allowed  the initial  members  of  the  church  to  get  to  know one  another  while  enriching    their    spiritual   lives through  group   study   and  discussion.

November 17, 1961

A  Junior  Choir  was  organized  under  the  direction  of  Miss  Sally  Shealy.

December, 1961

During the five months following the first service the church attendance and membership continued to grow with the total membership reaching forty by the first of December. Accordingly,   December  10   was  selected   for   the  official organization day.

December 10, 1961

At the opening of the ceremonies on Charter Sunday, Reverend Wolf introduced Reverend Marion S. Michael, District Superintendent of the Washington-East District of the Methodist Church, who  assisted  in  the  chartering  services.   The church   conference   accepted    by   acclamation   the    Elective   Stewards   presented   by   the   Nominating   Committee.

Fort Washington 40 Years

Fort Washington Methodist Parish