Let every voice
at Hughes sing with praise and thanksgiving as we celebrate our 59th
Anniversary – another glorious occasion in our history, for “We have
Come this Far by Faith!!!!”
It is a time to rejoice about where we are and to reflect on how
we got here with God’s help. It is time to recognize, with deep
appreciation, the efforts of our membership for getting us here now,
and for planning on how to move on into the future. It is also a
time to fondly remember our departed loved ones and their assistance
and association with us.
With God’s help, we have come a long way from the small mission
in the Malvan and Schey Funeral Home at 4445 Deane Avenue, NE, with
two members, through the parish-house church at 18 – 54th Street, SE
with its 15 members; to the large impressive building complex of two
adjoining wings at 53rd and Ames Streets, NE, with its membership of
209.
We have come eight years beyond our fabulous Jubilee Celebration
in 1999. During this span of eight years, the Reverend Constance C.
Smith has become the 11th pastor appointed to serve the Hughes
Church Family. She followed the pastorates of Kirkland Frazier
(deceased), William Hairston (deceased), William E. Bishop
(deceased), Thomas H. Brooks (deceased, Charles A. Johnson, Hal T.
Henderson, Arlester Brown, Mamie A. Williams, Kirk D. Monroe, Sr.,
and B. Kevin Smalls. Progress of growth of each pastorate and each
church organization have been recorded elsewhere and are a part of
the Hughes heritage.
Our recorded history tells the details of our steady growth and
progress-too many to be included here. Included therein, are
purchases of lots for expansion, the making and liquidation of
mortgages, two building programs-one in the 1950’s and the other in
the 1980-90’s. The latter resulted in the construction of a
multipurpose building and the renovation of the sanctuary. Bishop
James K. Matthews consecrated the new facility on Sunday, August 22,
1993. We worshiped in the Fellowship Hall of the multipurpose
building from Sunday, July 3, to Sunday, November 6, 1994, when we
returned to service in the newly renovated sanctuary with its new
computerized organ and stained glass windows.
Our 1997 Church Conference approved changing the administrative
structure of Hughes from the Administrative Board to the Church
Council model. Committees instead of a Board, plan programs and
activities. The new model began here in January 1998. In the spring
of 1998, a new 15-passenger van was purchased, which assists in
transporting members to and from services.
Clubs and organizations have played a prominent role in Hughes’
growth and progress. Including among the clubs are the Busy Bees,
Helping Hand, Willing Workers, 1957; Hospitality, 1958; Progressive,
1960; and Club 67, 1971. These groups have done wonderfully well
fostering friendships within their membership and in helping to meet
the financial obligations of the church.
Among the organizations which have contributed likewise to
Hughes’ growth and progress are: the Altar Guild, 1968; the
Communion Stewards, 1950; the Acolytes, 1950; the Trustees, 1953;
the Ushers; the Finance Committee, and the Nurses’ Unit, 1953; the
United Methodist Women, 1950 (formerly the Women’s Society of
Christian Service) and the United Methodist Men, 1958; SHARE
Program, 1993, and the Funding Development Committee.
Singing groups, which have “made joyful noise unto the Lord”
include the Senior Choir, 1950; the Chancel Choir, 1959; the Youth
Choir, 1954; the Inspirational Singers, 1971; the Intergenerational
Singers, 1996, and the Male Chorus, 1997. The Chancel, Inspirational
and Youth Choirs have disbanded.
Other groups existing at Hughes are: Boy Scout Troop #582, 1953
(currently inactive); HUM Federal Credit Union, 1964; the Hi-Lites
staff, 1977; and the Charity Outreach Committee, 1993. great effort
was exerted to develop ministries to serve and support the community
and to bring the two into closer contact. These efforts resulted in
our congregation’s participation in the Bishop’s Initiative Against
Drugs and Violence, a Summer Ministries Program, Project Spirit (an
after school program still operating here), the Adopt-a-School
program, Angels Service Network, the Benefit Bank, Hughes HOPE
(HIV/AIDS Ministry), and the Food Bank Ministry.