New York Avenue Presbyterian Church — Attraction in Washington

I have to keep the church outreach separated from the day center. I’m a homeless woman who recently arrived from Baltimore to DC seeking help, and I do find assistance at the day center—sometimes.

The first weekend I arrived, I met a guy named Captain Matthew who was a musician/artist who was working with the homeless outreach on Sunday morning, playing out in the streets. He saw my guitar and asked me to sing, yet he immediately shut me up, which is not unusual for ANY of the churches I’ve tried to play at, even the ones in Florida where I donated sizeable sums of money. They don’t have a problem taking my donations EVER, but they are always too good for me to sing at.

That weekend, Reverend Faith had a service, and there was a cool Dixieland band playing. This church is known as the church of Lincoln. I enjoyed the old hymns and found myself clapping and singing, yet feeling a bit out of place, because these were stodgy old white people with no soul. I tried not to let it bother me, and even though reverend Faith introduced herself to the homeless woman sitting next to me at breakfast, she ignored me completely. Although, I’m glad to see this church had a female pastor, I can’t say she was any more friendly than the misogynistic male ones I’ve met at most other churches I’ve been to.

The next week I tried to fill in for the piano guy named Bob, since everyone was away at a retreat. I played one song for the serving staff preparing the meal, and as I started to sing “His eye is on the sparrow,” a woman named Elena took it upon herself to come over and tell me to quiet down, so I split. The homeless dude who was guarding the door who refused to let me in at first said he was a Trump-lover, which explains why these people hated me so much and were glad to see me leave .

Trump lovers hate my voice, which not only triggers their demons, but causes them to do anything they can to shut me up. If you’re having a party and want to drive away Trump lovers, perhaps you should hire me, although I do tend to sing about Jesus a lot, which really pisses the...

I know that your staff may not always get the recognition they deserve but today they will. My name is Michael L Brown (outreach minister for Man Up in Indianapolis IN. I came down to Washington to rescue my grand children from getting put in DHS. After doing so I found myself unable to get back to Indiana because of no finances. Your Organization stepped into to help. I want to give a special recognition to Mr. WILLIAM YOUNG who handle my emergency situation with kindness and professionalism. He is an asset to this cause on all levels. I am on my way home now because of the extra effort he took with patience to help me. Thanks again for all your help and may God continue to bless you all. Your Friend in Ministry, Minister...

This place has become an absolute eye sore. Have to avoid walking past this church on my commute due to drug activity.

Update May 19, 2025: The church thinks responding to my review saying "they are committed to responding to the complex issues of drug addiction" excuses them from cultivating a breeding ground for drug activity. If they were actually worried about addressing these problems, they would be more concerned about the drug deals that occur on-premises, which endanger the drug addicts they are "trying to help" along with law-abiding citizens that happen to be in proximity to these activities. Shame on them for fostering a culture of dangerous and sinful behavior in this otherwise beautiful part...