History

A famous author once wrote: “We would arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” Lincoln Congregational Temple was founded in the Shaw Community 140 years ago. During that period, Lincoln set standards for other churches to follow. Through our ministry, God’s light has shined brightly on dark corners of injustice, and illuminated new roads in music, Christian education, and community leadership.

Lincoln Congregational Church merged with Park Temple Church in 1901. Therefore, in the last 110 years the names Lincoln Temple Congregational and Lincoln Congregational Temple have been used synonymously. The church can chart its roots to the Lincoln Industrial Mission (an educational and social aid mission built on the site in 1869-69). The current church building was erected in 1928 and designed by Howard Wright Cutler. In the past the congregants have fed some of the participants who have marched on Washington and played a role in establishing the Lincoln- Westmoreland housing complex. The American Negro Academy, the first major African-American learned society was started with the help of church members as well as Shaw Ministry. Children have been baptized, weddings have been performed and birthdays have been counted. Those who have cast their lots with Lincoln Temple have made the church more open to all and have left a rich legacy.