Finding Asian American History: Korean Church in Washington (Foundry Methodist Church)
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The Korean Church in Washington, the first such Christian congregation in DC, met weekly in Foundry's Ball Memorial Chapel for 27 years. Established in 1951 with several dozen congregants (most of them Presbyterian), it established a Korean-language school, created outreach programs, and sponsored events to meet the needs of the growing community. It later developed into the Korean United Methodist Church of Greater Washington, which is now based in McLean, Virginia.
This site is a part of the Finding Asian American History in Washington DC digital tour.
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Reverend Daniel Taimook Kim was the church's first minister. In this photo from around 1952, he poses at Foundry front entry with the Yang and Park families, as well as other congregants. Photograph courtesy of Carol Kim Retka.
1970s Korean Church member directories during residence at Foundry and afterwards. Courtesy of the family of Hui Sung Youn.
Foundry’s Reverend Fredrick Brown Harris (standing near center) with Reverend Daniel Taimook Kim (left) and his family along with other congregants, ca. 1952. Photograph courtesy of Carol Kim Retka.
Foundry Methodist Church, located within the Sixteenth Street Historic District.
Date: May 2023.