This three-story, Neoclassical Revival style rowhouse in Columbia Heights was designed by Appleton P. Clark, Jr. and completed in 1915 as a parsonage (or manse) for the reverend of the neighboring Central Presbyterian Church, which was originally founded in 1868. However, the building's historical significance stems from its use by the Latin American Youth Center from 1974 to 1998.

Central Presbyterian Church (now The Next Step Public Charter School), just across the alley at the corner of 15th and Irving streets NW, was also designed by Clark and completed in 1914. Early on, President Woodrow Wilson worshipped at this church. Therefore, in 1956 in honor of Wilson's birth centennial, the church's educational annex (completed in the early 1930s) was renamed the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Building.

The following decade, Good Shepherd United Presbyterian Church, led by Reverend Antonio P. Welty, started to utilize the annex for its Spanish-speaking congregation. In 1968, Reverend Welty and Carlos Rosario founded the Committee for Aid and Development of Latin America in the Nation's Capitol (CADOLANCA), a social services and advocacy organization.

The Wilson Center (Centro Wilson) was established in this location in 1971 and provided space for local non-profit organizations and educational programs. This community center's many organizations and initiatives supported DC's growing Spanish-speaking immigrant community. In addition to the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), some of the organizations that operated out of the Wilson Center included El Centro de Arte, the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), and La Clínica del Pueblo, just to name a few. The Central Presbyterian Church congregation moved out in 1973, selling the church, annex, and former parsonage to National Capital Union Presbytery.

During this period of the late 1960s, LAYC was getting its start. At the time, the Spanish Catholic Center at the Kenesaw Apartment House was no longer welcoming kids and teenagers, and a riot had just severely damanged Lincoln Junior High School. With a focus on at-risk Latino Youth, Garry Garber and Arturo Griffiths started Courtesy Patrol, a city-funded after-school program. This popular program evolved into what would become LAYC. Following its new non-profit status, LAYC moved into the former parsonage in 1974, just a few years after the last Presbyterian clergy moved out.

In addition to LAYC, the former parsonage on 15th Street NW housed the Spanish Education Development (SED) Center, an adult English as a Second Language (ESL) program, from 1971 to 1974 and 1978 to 1980, and Adelante Advocacy Center from 1976 to 1981.

In its first decade, LAYC provided after-school and summer employment programs, ESL and General Education Development (GED) classes, and vocational training in automotive mechanics, catering, and clerical skills. In collaboration with El Centro de Arte, mural painting, street theater, newspaper publishing, and music lessons became part of LAYC's core educational programming. This resulted in the Unity Mural (1982) in Adams Morgan and three murals (Canto a la Esperanza, 1988-90) along Klingle Road NW.

LAYC continued to evolve and change with the community's needs, with new focuses on counseling and mental health, homelessness, and drug abuse. With an increase in gang violence and drug use, LAYC's Drop-In Center (La Peña) was founded in 1988. This safe space included, amongst other things, a pool table and juice bar, and became a popular spot for live music. The Drop-In Center's importance became especially pronounced as a refuge during the Mount Pleasant uprising and riots in May 1991. The Drop-In Center continues to operate out of the space on 15th Street, as LAYC's main office moved to 1419 Columbia Road NW in 1998.

In 2001, the Wilson Center officially closed. The church was sold to Capital City Charter School, the annex to the Barbara Chambers Children's Center, and the former parsonage to LAYC. The church building now houses Next Step Public Charter School, which started in 1996 as LAYC's teen parenting program.

DC Inventory: May 22, 2025

National Register: June 30, 2025

For more (including 3 images) view the original article

Hillcrest/National Presbyterian Church reflects the merging of two early 20^th century Washington institutions into the current historic properties of The Washington City Orphan Asylum (Hillcrest Children’s Center) and the National Presbyterian Church. The first resident of the space, Washington City Orphan Asylum (referred to as Hillcrest Children’s Village following a 1920s construction project), was one of the oldest charitable institutions in the nation’s capital. Founded in 1815, the institution sought to provide proper care for the city’s expanding orphan population – in contrast to the government’s solution of sending children into poorhouses and workhouses. After a series of moves to meet the increasing demand for additional residential space, a large donation in 1920 resulted in the acquisition of 13.1 acres of property along Nebraska Avenue NW. Appleton P. Clark Jr., a master architect well-known for his design of orphanages and children’s homes, designed remarkable Tudor Style cottages that evoked a home-like feel in lieu of a sanitized, institutional quality traditionally assigned to children’s homes. Clark was assisted by landscape architect Rose Greely and architect Horace Peaslee, who specialized in landscape design. Only part of Clark’s proposed Hillcrest Children’s Village was constructed, but a few of the cottages survive and remain remarkable examples of Tudor Revival architecture. In the 1960s, the property was sold to the National Presbyterian Church (NPC) and Hillcrest transitioned its services to a facility at 1325 W Street NW. The NPC’s history can be traced to the late 18^th century; as early as 1794 and 1795, a group of Scottish stone masons gathered to hold Presbyterians services on land that the White House currently occupies. Originally known as the Covenant-First Presbyterian Church, desire for a national space of worship resulted in a 1971 name change. In 1963, after acquiring the Nebraska Avenue property, the NPC asked architect Harold E. Wagoner to draw up plans for the new national church. His Modern Gothic design echoed the church’s desire for a stately, dignified, and impressive national space. Wagoner’s incorporation of the four Clark-designed cottages into the church campus contributes to the architectural and historic significance. Today, the church remains an active, national space of worship in Northwest Washington.

DC Inventory: September 26, 2019

National Register: January 12, 2022

For more (including 4 images) view the original article

Originally located in Colonial Beach, Virginia, the Episcopal Home for Children (EHC) got its start as a convalescent home for children between the ages of six and sixteen. Initially known as the Bell Home for Children, daily programs involved recreational activities, prayer services, and free time. From 1895 to 1907, facilities in Anacostia housed around 50 children during the school year, who spent their summers in Colonial Beach.

In 1907, the home officially changed its name to the Episcopal Home for Children. Consistent issues of obtaining appropriate funds plagued the organization until a slew of donations in the late 1920s. Plans for expansion of the organization into Northwest Washington resulted in a building project began on January 28, 1930. Designed by Appleton P. Clark Jr., the original home consists of three main buildings (two residential, one primarily educational) oriented around a central plaza (for communal gathering). The Classical Revival style design is accompanied by notable Georgian and Colonial influences. EHC represents a significant architectural example of a children’s home in this period of progressive efforts to care for neglected, underprivileged, and emotionally challenged children.

In 1957, an organizational decision was made to close the orphanage and provide educational and residential services for emotionally challenged children. In 1959, the new program launched and provided treatment for eight girls and fifteen boys. By the 1960s, the organization added a day treatment program through additional funding from the DeVore Foundation and the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. In 1960, the name changed from Episcopal Center for Children and began to offer integrated services to all children, regardless of race.

In 2002, the EHC stopped providing residential care to instead focus on educational and child treatment services. In 2019, the center shut down the K-8 therapeutic school for emotionally challenged children, but continues to provide certain after-school programs.

This property is significant as an example of Progressive Era movements that sought to improve society through public reform efforts. In addition, the structure is valuable for its design by Appleton P. Clark Jr., a renowned architect who left a notable mark on the nation’s capital.

DC Inventory: February 25, 2021

National Register: August 5, 2025

For more (including 6 images) view the original article

The Saint James Mutual Homes represents a milestone in the development of planned housing for persons of moderate income, and the evolution of the "sanitary housing" movement, an important force in the residential development of Southwest.

Originally known as Kober Court and Sternberg Court, these Colonial Revival style eight-building, multi-unit complexes were designed by Appleton P. Clark and built in 1937 and 1939 by the Washington Sanitary Improvement and Washington Sanitary Housing companies, which built model housing in the District between 1897 and 1939. Former Surgeon General George Sternberg was its first president, and public health expert George Kober its first secretary. This was the last project built by the companies before the era of government-assisted public housing. The complex is the only multi-unit housing development in the Southwest Redevelopment Area that survived urban renewal. In 1967, it was converted to the present cooperative ownership.

St. James Mutual Homes is significant for its association with the development of Southwest in the 1930s, particularly in regard to the quadrant’s long struggle to develop high quality affordable housing despite natural and man-made impediments. Its construction as the Kober-Sternberg Courts represents a significant milestone in the development of planned housing for persons of moderate income and the evolution of the “sanitary housing” movement, an important force in the residential development of Southwest Washington and the city as a whole.

DC Inventory: October 22, 2015

For more (including 5 images) view the original article

The Denrike Building was completed in 1926 and designed by local architect Appleton P. Clark, Jr. Although part of a collection of office buildings in the Financial Historic District, the building’s exterior stands out for its Tudor Gothic Revival style design. The eleven-story building, just north of McPherson Square, replaced an 1884 Victorian Era house that belonged, at one point, to the former House Speaker Joseph Cannon. Prior to the 1920s, McPherson Square was filled with multiple residences, but these were mostly demolished with the development of the financial district and the increase in office spaces.

The Denrike Building, like many 20th century era office buildings, has a three-part design, including a base, middle, and top. The base of the building was converted into commercial storefronts, but the original limestone wall is still intact above the storefronts. The building’s middle is characterized by Tudor Gothic detailing, including vertical window bays separated by pilasters with Tudor arches and spandrels. The spandrels are also decorated with raised Tudor roses. The upper stories of the building are also decorated with intricate Tudor inspired stone carvings. The imposts and drip molds on the building are decorated with beast-like, human heads. Rectangular windows can be found on floors three through ten, but the upper floors' windows have arched openings with lintels carved with more roses.

The building was primarily used as office space, but is currently being converted into medium term rental units. The new plans include 89 multifamily units, with a large retail space on the ground floor. This rehabilitation is in response to the recent vacancies of office spaces following the Covid-19 pandemic. This project will retain the historic Gothic Revival style exterior while continuing to provide for the changing needs of the public.

DC Inventory: June 23, 2016

National Register: June 30, 2016

Within Financial Historic District

For more (including 2 images) view the original article

Saint Phillip’s Baptist Church has stood on the corner of North Capitol and K streets NE since its dedication in 1892. With its deep red brick façade, brownstone trim, and pitched gable roof, the Church is reminiscent of Queen Anne style architecture, and was designed by architect Appleton P. Clark Jr. Saint Phillips Baptist Church was established by a group of individuals from the African-American community living on St. Phillip’s Hill (around the area north of MacArthur Boulevard, NW). Before this Church was built, the community had prayer meetings that moved from house to house, took place in a local school, and later on, in a smaller church that was built by the congregation. Before being the Saint Phillip’s Baptist Church, the building was home to three previous Protestant groups. The first group, the North Capitol Street Methodist Episcopal Church, originally constructed the building. The church was then sold to its second group, the Full Gospel Assembly of God, in 1927. Following them was the Bethel Pentacostal Assembly of God, who purchased it in 1938, and they would be the last group in the building before it was sold to the Saint Philip’s Baptist Church in 1948. Before purchasing the building, Saint Phillip’s Baptist Church had moved from St. Phillip’s hill to Florida Avenue, NW in 1941. Their original home on St. Phillip’s hill developed into a wealthy, white residential area that forced out many people from the original communities living there, including the Church. This site is significant because it tells an important story about the ways in which race and wealth have influenced residential patterns in Washington, DC.

DC Inventory: June 27, 1974

For more (including 2 images) view the original article

Erected in 1911 by the Samuel J. Prescott Company to a design by prominent Washington architect Appleton P. Clark, Jr., the Civil Service Commission building exemplifies the early-20th century office buildings developed privately for long-term use by federal agencies. It is a rare survivor of this period of rapid government expansion.

The building exhibits elements of the Italian Renaissance Revival style applied to the basic commercial office building form of the early twentieth century. Due to its simple but high-quality building materials, including brick and limestone, the building remains in generally good condition with few alterations to its 1911 exterior appearance and configuration.

DC Inventory: June 30, 2011

National Register: September 18, 2013

For more (including 4 images) view the original article

The Hebrew Home for the Aged was constructed in 1925 to provide social support for destitute Jews, many of whom were immigrants who neither spoke nor understood English. The Hebrew Home, located in what was at the time considered the northern fringe of Washington, DC, was built to serve Washington’s growing Jewish community, particularly in the nearby Columbia Heights, Petworth, and Park View neighborhoods.

In 1922, the board of directors of the Washington Hebrew Home for the Aged announced their intentions to move the Home from the Shaw neighborhood to their newly purchased site on Spring Road between 10th and 13th Streets, NW, which would include both a residential facility and a hospital. Construction commenced in June 1924 to the designs of noted architect Appleton P. Clark, Jr., who planned the building to be erected in phases. The building was to have a central synagogue flanked by symmetrical residential and hospital wings. However, only the westernmost portion of Clark’s design was realized when the Home opened in 1925 with 35 beds for residents.

The building was subsequently expanded between 1951 and 1953 to the designs of Washington architect William St. Cyr Barrington. In 1940, the Jewish Social Service Agency was constructed to the west of the Hebrew Home to the designs of Washington architect Julius Wenig. The Hebrew Home for the Aged moved to a new site in 1968, at which point the building was sold to the DC government, who used it as a mental health facility for years before the building fell vacant in 2009.

Since 2020, the former Hebrew Home for the Aged and surrounding site have been redeveloped and now include mixed-income and affordable housing. The historic building was rehabilitated into The Appleton at Spring Flats — the new name being a reference to the building's architect. The award-winning adaptive reuse project was designed by Wiencek + Associates Architects + Planners. The Appleton houses 88 apartment units for senior citizens. New buildings were constructed on the surrounding site: The Robeson at Spring Flats, an 87-unit apartment building, and The Rows at Spring Flats, ten town homes along Spring Road.

DC Inventory: May 22, 2014

National Register: July 25, 2014

For more (including 7 images) view the original article

John Mercer Langston School was built in 1902 to handle the overflow of students from neighboring John Fox Slater School. Named for John Mercer Langston (1829-1897), the first African American congressman from Virginia, who also had a distinguished career in DC, the school was one of several schools for African American children along the North Capitol Street corridor.

In the late 1910s, it merged with Slater School to become Slater-Langston and, in 1951, became an independent school once again. The red brick two-story Italianate style building was designed by influential architect Appleton P. Clark. The eight classroom school has two towers on the front elevation marking the girls’ and boys’ entrances.

DC Inventory: October 27, 2011

National Register: April 9, 2013

For more (including 3 images) view the original article

Standing near the corner of G and 9th streets NW in the heart of the city, the Victor Building’s construction made it even more convenient for the original owner, Victor Evans, to complete his work. One of the preeminent patent attorneys in the country, Evans had the Victor Building constructed right next to the Old Patent Office. An Italian Renaissance Revival style building, the Victor Building served as Evans’s office for over 20 years until his death in 1931.

The building was completed in 1909, but shortly after, in 1911, Evans expanded the building. Both the original building and its addition were designed by well-known architect Appleton P. Clark Jr. In 1925, the building gained another addition, but this time Evans hired Waddy B. Wood, another influential architect.

Evans had an impressive career as a patent attorney, but he also held interests outside of the law, including an extensive collection of Native American artifacts and exotic animals. His interest in artifacts led him to become an advocate and attorney for Native American tribes, while his passion for animals led him to become a major contributor to the Smithsonian National Zoo. His third hobby, aviation, came from his work as a patent attorney. He became the president of the Rex Smith Aeroplane Company of Washington, in addition to being a major financial contributor to their programs.

DC Inventory: April 15, 1992

For more (including 2 images) view the original article