The Church Under Transformation:

Being Built On the One Foundation
Welcome to Young’s Memorial! We are a church that serves the community in humility and gratefulness. Our members are full of love and we can’t wait to meet YOU!

About Us
mission

Our Mission

The Young’s Memorial Church of Christ Holiness mission is to be empowered by God where anyone can be transformed by ministering to all mankind in every phase of life, improving the quality of life experienced here on earth, preparing for eternal existence with God in peace, promoting and maintaining a “spirit of excellence” in fulfilling God’s purpose.

mission

Church Theme

John 4:23-24
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

mission

Pastoral Vision

Habakkuk 2:2-3, 2 Write the vision and make it plain upon tables that he may run that reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

sunday

YOUTH SERVICE
2nd & 4th Sundays 9:45AM -10:30AM
MONDAY PRAYER SERVICE
7:00 PM, via Conference Line
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
7:30 PM, via Conference Line
Conference Line:
1-425-436-6376
Access Code: 787868

Church History

During the early 1920s, James E. Young purchased lots that were for sale at Knox Place and Alabama Avenue Southeast. Later, he deeded these lots to his wife, Anna T. Young. Anna wanted to build apartment housing on the land, however, God directed her in a vision to build a church. When she met with the builders, she realized that both her dream and her vision could be fulfilled. She could have a church on the first floor and an apartment on the second floor.

Early Beginnings
In 1925, Reverend Russell I. Young (not related) a local Holiness preacher put in a bid for the second-floor apartment. While waiting for completion of the unit, he and his family moved into the home of James and Anna Young, where he began a Bible Class with eleven (11) students. (This was the beginning of the church.) In 1926, the Bible Class students attended a National Convention in Norfolk, Virginia. Out of this convention, the church adopted the Holiness Young People Union (H.Y.P.U.). Bible Study continued to grow for the next two (2) years, even though the church building was still not ready.
Church Completion
Upon completion of the church in 1928, Reverend Russell Young (the founder of the Bible Study) and his family had relocated to the State of Pennsylvania. In the meantime, having received the calling from God, James E. Young entered into the ministry and was licensed to preach by the National Convention of The Churches of Christ Holiness, USA, in June 1927, in Richmond, Virginia. Immediately, he was appointed pastor and the church was named the “First Church of Christ Holiness – Garfield”.
Charter Members
This new church had ten (10) charter members. They were: Anna Coates, Martha Elwood, Edele Norris, Henry Simms, Emma Williams, Anna T. Young, Edith Young, James E. Young, Margaret Young and Russell Young. The church held approximately 75 people. There was a small back room that was used as the choir room, study and all-purpose room. These facilities were used by the congregation for 28years. As the church grew, there became a need for a larger and more modem facility. The groundbreaking service for the new church at 2490 Alabama Avenue, Southeast was held on Sunday, April 4, 1954, Reverend James E. Young was elevated to the honorary position of Bishop in August 1954 he retired in 1958 and God called him home on January 18, 1960.
Updated Name
After the passing of Bishop Young, the church’s name was legally changed to “Young’s Memorial Church of Christ Holiness, Inc., in honor of his memory. After the death of Bishop Young, the Reverend Theodore Harris became pastor of the church. He resigned in 1960. Bishop Ellis K. McFadden accepted the call on September 4, 1960, and served faithfully until his passing in January 1978. Reverend Asbury Holmes was called to serve in 1978 and was later elevated to the office of Bishop. Reverend Holmes served dutifully until his passing on May 31, 1986.
Establishment in the community
Elder Alfred E. Russell, who was ordained by Bishop McFadden, served under both Bishops and was later appointed Assistant Pastor to Bishop Holmes. For 18 months, the church was without a pastor. From August-October 1987, Elder Russell served as “Interim Pastor,” having been appointed by Bishop Benjamin Daly and Bishop Wills. Elder Russell continued to serve faithfully as Assistant to the Pastor. Following many days of fasting and prayer, the church engaged Elder Herbert B. Chambers to become pastor on the third Sunday in October 1987. He was officially installed on Sunday, January 10, 1988. By 1994, Young’s Memorial Church had begun to establish itself not only as “a church in the community” but as “the community church.”
Outreach
It provided, and still maintains, an array of outreach programs to enhance the spiritual awareness, self-esteem, values and standards of living to challenge the congregation and this Southeast community to have great lives. Under his pastorate we have been involved with: Elder Alfred E. Russell, who was ordained by Bishop McFadden, served under both Bishops and was later appointed Assistant Pastor to Bishop Holmes. For 18 months, the church was without a pastor.
Modern history
After the passing of Elder Herbert Chambers on December 10, 2010, Elder Gloria Eiland was installed as the pastor of Young’s Memorial Church on October 12, 2012, becoming the first women pastor and Elder Gregory A. Armstrong became the first Assistant Pastor on February 24, 2013. Under her leadership she strived that the church would have a mind to work in “Building the Bridge Together.” (Nehemiah 4:6). She believed that the church is a hospital and is ready to receive those that are sick, in need of healing, wounded, needy and broken hearted. Elder Gloria Eiland served as Pastor until retiring on July 17, 2022. After her retirement, Elder Gregory A. Armstrong was voted in as the Interim Pastor and on July 16, 2023, he was elected as the permanent pastor.
Our Leaders

Ministries

Adjutant Ministry

Administrative Ministry

Anna Ministry

Christian Education

Couples Ministry

Culinary Ministry

Deacon Ministry

Evangelism/Outreach Ministry

Media/Website Ministry

Men’s Ministry

Ministerial Ministry

Missions Ministry

Additional Ministries
Music Ministry | New Hope School | Pastoral Partner Ministry | Security | Single’s Ministry | Sunday School | Transportation | Trustees Ministry | Usher’s Ministry | Women’s Ministry | Young Adult Ministry | Youth Ministry
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Our Pastor

Elder Gregory A. Armstrong, is the son of Theodore A. Armstrong and Missionary Eunice Cobb, is a native of Kingsland, Georgia, was educated in the Camden County school system. He attended Savannah State College in Savannah Georgia where he studied Accounting. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in June of 1982.

Read More about our Pastor
Elder Armstrong received his early spiritual growth and nurturing at the Church of Victory Tabernacle, Atlanta, Georgia under the leadership of Bishop Carolyn Horton. He has served faithfully for 21 years under the leadership of the late Elder Herbert B. Chambers of Young’s Memorial Church of Christ Holiness, Pastor James Johnson and his former Pastor Gloria Eiland.

Understanding the need to study to show thyself approved, Elder Armstrong graduated from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary in October 2012, with a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry, in preparation for the call to ministry. He is currently pursuing his Doctoral Degree in Pastoral Ministry. He is also a member of the National Omicron-PSI Honor Society. He is a lay-counselor, where he works in the field of marriage, grief, youth, young adults, men, anger management and substance abuse. Elder Armstrong has currently written a chapter in a book called the Seven Ingredients To An Effective Prayer Life.

Elder Armstrong served as the Assistant Pastors of Young’s Memorial Church of Christ Holiness, UHCA, for over 12 years under the leadership of Pastor Gloria Eiland. Elder Armstrong is currently the Pastor of Young’s Memorial Church of Christ Holiness. He is Pastor of Men’s Ministry, Pastor of Couple’s Ministry, President of the DC, MD, and cPA Subdistrict and Pastor of Music Ministry. Elder Armstrong was ordained as an Elder by the Board of Presbyterian of the United Holy Church of America. He is currently employed with MDM Office Systems Inc. where he serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the company.

Elder Armstrong is happily married to First Lady Betty Armstrong for over 20 years. He sincerely believes that without her love, support and encouragement, many of his goals would not have been accomplished. He is the father of one beautiful daughter, Shamira, one son-in-law Daniel and the grandfather of three beautiful grandchildren.

ElderGregoryArmstrong
FirstLady

First Lady

Elder Betty A. Armstrong is a native of Washington, DC and attends Young’s Memorial Church of Christ Holiness where she received her spiritual guidance under the late Elder Herbert B. Chambers, Emeritus Elder Gloria A. Eiland and the current Pastor, Elder Gregory A. Armstrong.

Read More about our First Lady
First Lady Armstrong believes that God is able to do anything but fail and that if you just trust and believe, he will do whatever you ask in his name. She did not come from a family that served God or attended church but she had a yearning to know more about God and sought the Lord for herself. She never thought she would become a minister but knew that God had a call on her life. She received her biblical studies from the New Hope Bible Institute of Washington, DC. She served as the Vice President of the Young Peoples Holy Association (YPHA) and the BCS Superintendent for the DC, MD, cPA Subdistrict. She has also served as the Assistant BCS Superintendent for the Northern District.

She is actively involved in the Women’s Ministry at Young’s Memorial Church. She was ordained as an Elder in 2014 through the United Holy Church of America (UHCA) and is among the ministerial leadership at her church. She served as the Chairperson of the Youth Ministry for eight years and held the office of Deacon for four years. She was the Praise Dance leader for nine years. She taught bible study to the Youth and Young Adults for four years and is one of the Adult Sunday School teachers. She has a heart for the youth, teens and young adults and hopes to one day establish a Youth Center to aid the youth and teens. She is married to Elder Gregory Armstrong, who is the Pastor of Young’s Memorial Church and President of the Union for the DC, MD and cPA Subdistrict, in which they are both actively involved. They have one daughter Shamira, one son-in-law, Daniel Foddrell and their three children, G-babies, Honor, Hailee and Daniel, Jr.

If she had to choose a favorite passage of scripture it would be Psalms 121: 1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

There is one thing that she desires and that is that we all become united in the body of Christ so that His work can be done the way He intended, with everyone using their gifts to edify the body.

Assistant Pastor

Elder Elsie Hebron currently resides in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Elder Hebron has served and mentored the people of God for many years. In 1975, she accepted the Lord as personal savior. In 1989, she became a member of Young’s Memorial Church of Christ Holiness in Washington, DC under the late Elder Herbert B. Chambers, Senior Pastor.

Read More about our Assistant Pastor
Elder Hebron attended Young’s Memorial New Hope Bible Institute in Affiliation with the Evangelical Training Association where she successfully completed Biblical Studies necessary for licensing and for credentials of Ordination. She became a licensed Minister in 1998 and later was licensed and ordained as an Elder (2008) under the United Holy Church of America Organization. Elder Hebron remains an Elder under this organization and became an affiliate Elder on the Ministerial Staff for City of Refuge Church located in Sumter, South Carolina in 2012 under the leadership of Pastors John and Dr. Barbara Davis. She has served as Pastor of Women’s Ministry, Pastor of Youth Ministry, member of Board of Trustees, counselor for Young Women’s Groups, Organizer for Retreats, Director of Sunday School, and advisor to her Pastoral associates.

Elder Hebron’s teaching and preaching goal is that men and women would be saved, free to serve God and to know His power. She has learned that life brings us many challenges. However, if we have knowledge of who God is, what His word says, what His power can do, it makes these challenges bearable.

Elder Hebron is the proud mother of two (2) children and one (1) granddaughter. She attended and served at Calvary Pentecostal Ministries in Gaithersburg, Maryland where District Elder Wesley Taylor Jr. is Pastor. She currently attends and serves as the Assistant Pastor of Young’s Memorial Church of Christ Holiness where Elder Gregory A. Armstrong is Pastor.

Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11; ISV, “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope.”

ElderElsieHebron

Contact Us

Young’s Memorial Church of Christ Holiness, Inc. UHCA

202-889-3434

2490 Alabama Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20020