This week I’m joined by Caleb Morell to talk about his book A Light on the Hill: The Surprising Story of How a Local Church in the Nation's Capital Influenced Evangelicalism. It’s a history of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. The church’s current pastor is the influential Mark Dever.
Founded in 1878, Capitol Hill Baptist, located just blocks from the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court, has remained steadfast in its theological convictions while navigating cultural, political, and social changes over 150 years. From its founding by Civil War veterans to its role in the fundamentalist-modernist controversy, urban challenges, and the revitalization under pastor Mark Dever, this episode uncovers what makes this church a unique case study in American Christianity. Learn how Capitol Hill Baptist has maintained its gospel-centered mission amidst D.C.’s evolving landscape, including its response to suburbanization, gentrification, and even a lawsuit against the city during COVID-19.
