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CHURCH HISTORY

A Legacy of Faith: The History of Southeast Christian Fellowship

Through every season — growth and challenge, transition and triumph — Southeast Christian Fellowship has stood as a testimony to God’s faithfulness. From a basement on Q Street to a fellowship that reaches far beyond its walls, SECF is more than a church — it is a movement of believers, committed to loving God, serving others, and making disciples.

We give honor to those who paved the way and rejoice in the journey that lies ahead. Our history is His story — one of grace, endurance, and unwavering faith.

To God be the glory for the great things He has done — and the greater things still to come.

Our History

The Washington Brethren Church opened its doors in December 1948 at the location of 3140 Q Street, SE, in Washington, DC. These faith-filled people had relocated from a temporary church home at The Friendship House located at 7th and D Streets, SE.

The new location at Branch Avenue and Q Street consisted of a basement unit with entrances, one on Branch Avenue and the other through the Fellowship Hall off of Q Street. Services were held in this underground location for 10 years until the Ashland Church assisted the congregation with financing to build the upper levels including the sanctuary and several offices. The sanctuary was dedicated in March 1958.

As time went by, the membership grew older, the children in the congregation drifted away and the elders retired and/or passed on leaving only a faithful few to keep the doors of the church open. Though times were tough and many urged them to give up, they remained steadfast and unmovable. Those faithful few included Deacon/Elder Helen Cooksey, Bill Cooksey, Jim Gatling, Brenda Gatling, and Bernice Williams (all now deceased).

In October 1992, the Reverend Ricky Bolden assumed the Pastorate of the Washington Brethren Church. One by one, the Lord added members to the congregation and new Christian Awareness classes as well as an ongoing Bible Study were established. As a result of its new life and direction, in 1994, the congregation decided to change its name from the Washington Brethren Church to Southeast Christian Fellowship.

Over the years, the Church has been blessed with several great pastors including the Reverend Charles Fairbanks, Rev. J. Ray Klingensmith, Rev. Joseph Shultz, Rev. Jerry Flora, Rev. Robert Keplinger, Rev. Archie Nevins, Rev. John Mills, Rev. Dr. Ricky Bolden (October 1992–October 2001), Rev. Curtis L. Staley (July 2002–April 2015), and Min. Brian Wade (July 2016–September 2018), and Elder Derrick Hammiel (April 2020 – Present).