FOUNDRY'S HISTORY
Originally located in Georgetown and later at 14th and G, Foundry dedicated its first building in September 1815. Henry Foxall, a Methodist layman and influential businessman, donated the land and building after his Georgetown iron foundry surrvived the British attack on Washington in the War of 1812.
For almost two centuries, the church has been home to presidents, members of Congress, and others in public service. President Abraham Lincoln became a Life Director of the Methodist Missionary Society, and President Rutherford Hayes attended Foundry nearly every Sunday during his term. President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill attended a special service at Foundry on December 25, 1941. President William Clinton and his family attended regularly.
Foundry has long been active in mission, with work that mirrors the humanitarian concerns of the times. In 1995, Foundry affirmed publicly that it was a reconciling congregation, now one of nearly 200 United Methodist Churches in the Reconciling Congregation Movement.
A CARING COMMUNITY
Foundry United Methodist Church has been a spiritual leader in the nation’s capital for more than 186 years. In a city often characterized by transience and change, Foundry has remained a steadfast beacon — long recognized for its commitment to mission service, social justice, and reconciliation. Foundry’s ministers are viewed as models of influential and dedicated parish leadership. Distinguished by their scholarship, oratory, caring counsel, and deep commitment to Christian principles, they have extended the church’s reputation as a voice of conscience, reason, and hope for residents of and visitors to our city.
Located at 16th and P Streets NW in Washington’s Dupont Circle neighborhood — one mile north of the White House — Foundry is easily accessible by public transport.
STATEMENT OF RECONCILIATION
In 1995, Foundry became one of the first larger United Methodist Churches to publicly affirm its commitment to the full inclusion of all persons when it joined the Reconciling Congregation Movement. Here is Foundry’s Statement of Reconciliation:
We, the friends and members of Foundry United Methodist Church, hold deeply our commitment to help bring about a peaceful, loving, just and accepting world. We are proud of our active, diverse congregation and have seen how each person has graced our community with his or her talents. We believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in all.
We acknowledge our oneness with all of God’s creation and invite gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons to share our faith, our community life, and our ministries. We also affirm the same for all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, economic status, or physical or mental condition.
We seek to be an inclusive congregation, and we proclaim our commitment to seek the reconciliation of all persons to God and to each other through Jesus Christ.
As we journey toward reconciliation with all, we proclaim this statement of welcome to all, including our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters: God loves you and we love you, we affirm you, and accept you, we treasure you. We welcome you.
At the same time, we recognize that there remain differences of opinion among us on issues relating to sexuality. We do not seek to erase our differences, but to journey together in faith toward greater understanding and mutual respect.
In becoming a Reconciling Congregation we believe that we are being reconciled to God and to one another.
