In 1875, a group of people resided in the vicinity of Sherman and Florida Avenues, Washington, DC Northwest, broadening their religious life by meeting and conducting prayer services. Missions grew out of private homes which became known as Simpson Memorial Church. The church’s name was a tribute to Bishop Matthew Simpson, a friend of President Abram Lincoln.

On July 2, 1865, a new congregation was organized under the name “Ninth Street Methodist Episcopal Church” and briefly renamed the “Golden Rule Society”. In 1923, the Golden Rule Society sold the building to “Shiloh Baptist Church. Golden Rule Society consolidated with “Iowa Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church” and the two congregations took on the name “Hamline” –named after Bishop Leonidas Lent Hamline. Service was held in Iowa Avenue Church for two years while the new Hamline Church was being built. On December 3, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge broke ground for the new Hamline Church building. On December 7, 1924, the cornerstone of the new church was laid. The new Hamline church was opened on January 3, 1926.

January 13, 1974, Simpson Memorial United Church, by a majority vote, made the decision to merge with Hamline United Methodist Church at 4501 Sixteenth Street Northwest, Washington, DC. Rev. Hal Henderson was retained as the first Pastor of the merged church, Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church.

It was anticipated that the merger of these two churches would be a challenge and would develop a strong sense of dedication and commitment due to their diversity and history. In the current sanctuary at Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church, the first service for the combined congregation was held on Sunday, June 2, 1974.

On June 6, 1993, the church celebrated its 20^th Merger Anniversary of Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church. As we approached June 2, 2014, we celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of the merger of Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church. In 2015, the Simpson-Hamline United Methodist Church celebrated the 150^th Anniversary of “Serving Christ in the Nation’s Capital since 1865.”

Former senior pastors serving Simpson-Hamline Church since the merger are: Rev. Dr. Yvonne Mercer-Staten, Rev. Dr. Mary Brown-Oliver, Rev. Dr. Barbara Sands, Rev. Dr. Douglas B. Sands, Rev. Dr. John C. Warren, Rev. Joe L. Gipson, Rev. Levi Miller, and Rev. Hal Henderson.