On December 4, 1843, James Turner Barclay first gathered people in his home to worship. This gathering later became National City Christian Church and Foundation. In 1851, Alexander Campbell declared that the denomination should “have the largest meeting house in Washington City and there…stand up in the presence of kings and Earth’s nobility and proclaim the unknown Gospel.” That charge led to establishment of the National City as the national church of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a decision later affirmed in 1926 at the International Convention, now called the General Assembly, of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) when the foundation was formed.
To celebrate our long and faithful history in our nation’s capital and our commitment to being the national church of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we are launching Barclay Day! Barclay Day, will be celebrated annually on December 4 as a day of giving to support the work of the Foundation. We are excited to share stories from our history, celebrate the good work we are doing with denominational and ecumenical partners, and lift up the work of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) across the country.
We hope you will join us with a gift on December 4 to celebrate what James Barclay began with a faithful gathering and what God continues to do here at National City Christian Church.