Alexandria — Old Town Alexandria is blessed with many historical treasures that help make Alexandria the very special city that it is. One of these special treasures is the Old Presbyterian Meeting House. The Meeting House, as it is known, was founded in 1772 when the Colonies were still under British rule. Only congregations of the Church of England were allowed to use the term “church” prior to America gaining independence. The places of worship of non-conforming denominations had to use another term, hence the term “meeting house.” There are a number of interesting historical facts about the Meeting House to include having its bell toll for four days and hosting Alexandria’s memorial services for George Washington following his death in 1799. It also is the site of the tomb of the unknown soldier of the American Revolution. The Meeting House’s historical significance makes it a popular tourist attraction.
Today, the Meeting House’s role in the Alexandria community goes well beyond its historical past. It has a very large, active congregation of over 1,000 members that not only bring life to its historical campus, but do much to enrich and support Alexandria and the surrounding communities. Its campus and members are active well beyond Sunday mornings. For example:
Each Thursday morning, volunteers welcome anywhere from 30 to 60 guests to Meeting House Open Table, a breakfast for Alexandria’s homeless and underserved population. Guests not only appreciate the hearty breakfast but also the camaraderie with other guests and church members. Good food is served; birthdays are celebrated; sorrows and challenges, as well as successes and joys are shared. A similar breakfast is hosted by Washington Street Methodist Church on Monday mornings, and Downtown Baptist on Wednesdays.
On Saturday mornings, the Meeting House serves as a host site for the video visitation program of Assisting Families of Inmates. This program enables family members of inmates serving time in Virginia prisons to regularly connect with their loved ones via a video connection. Statistics prove that this family connection significantly increases a prisoner’s successful return to society, and Meeting House volunteers can attest to the importance of the connections they have witnessed.
Weekday mornings, the courtyard, playground, and education building are filled with the sound of children’s laughter. The Meeting House Cooperative Preschool provides a strong educational and social foundation for both children of Meeting House members and other families in the Alexandria community.
Across the courtyard, the Meeting House’s historic Flounder House houses the office of the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium. The Meeting House was central to the establishment of the Tutoring Consortium, and in addition to providing office space and funding, many of its members also volunteer. ATC tutors are all community volunteers who work one-on-one with primary students in the Alexandria City Public Schools to develop the skills to read at or above grade level.
In the evening, the Meeting House facilities are often used for weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, providing sanctuary and support for those struggling with addiction.
The Meeting House reaches out in support of the community in other ways as well. Since 1970, the church’s Family to Family program has provided emergency financial assistance to the working poor. This program annually provides tens of thousands of dollars to help cover rent, utility bills, medical bills, and other essentials of northern Virginia households in need of short term financial assistance.
The Meeting House is also an active member of VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement). Through this non-partisan coalition, members work together to take action on key issues in our community including, but not limited to, affordable housing, access to health and dental care, and immigrant rights.
Most recently, the Meeting House is partnering with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and First Christian Church to sponsor a refugee family from Syria. Meeting House members will work with this family of seven to enable them to begin a fresh start in our country.
The Meeting House also contributes funds and / or volunteers to a number of community service programs in Alexandria, such as ALIVE!, Bag Lunch, Carpenter’s Shelter, Christ House, Friends of Guest House, and Senior Services of Alexandria. These programs provide food for the hungry, low-cost childcare, and donated furniture and housewares for those in need. They assist women in returning to society following incarceration. They help seniors maintain their independence and self-sufficiency. All of these programs are examples of Alexandrians working together to make a better community, a goal to which the Meeting House has long been committed.
Alexandria is indeed blessed to have this historical treasure that not only has played such a key role in our city’s past but is today impacting so many in our community. “Touching Lives through a Culture of Commitment” is the Meeting House mantra, and its membership demonstrates this on a daily basis with their time, their talents, and their treasure.