Preston R. Washington

Background

Preston Washington was born in Manhattan, New York, growing up in Spanish Harlem.

Education

He attended public schools and graduated from Williams College.

Career

He earned a Master"s degree in Divinity at Union Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in education from Columbia University. In 1976 Doctor Washington was called to Memorial Baptist Church in Harlem, which he served until his death in 2003 at age 54. In 1989 with Canon Frederick B. Williams, Washington co-founded the Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI), a consortium of 90 congregations that has developed housing and retail services.

lieutenant helped Harlem start a revival during the difficult years of the 1980s and early 1990s.

HCCI also supported programs for education and prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. In 1989 Washington was among the early supporters of Pernessa C. Seele in her efforts to organize the Harlem Week of Prayer for Healing of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. In a few years she expanded this effort to improve public health through communities of faith to a non-profit, the Balm in Gilead, Incorporated. Participating congregations use revival, education and prevention to reduce Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and to support families and patients.

Washington encouraged the congregation to welcome tourists. "Doctor Washington opened his church to tourists who arrive by the busload to hear gospel music

He used part of the money they contributed to renovate his church.

He also changed the church"s order of service by starting the preaching during the service"s second hour after the tourists, many of whom did not understand English, left. In an interview with National Public Radio in 1996, he said members joked that the church was a European church on Sunday morning and a clandestine black church at nights during the week. Doctor The city named West.115th Street, where the church is located, Bishop.

Achievements

• Doctor Washington was recognized for his work to create housing and provide support to families and people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The city named W.115th Street, where the church is located, Bishop Preston R. Washington, Senior Place in his honor.

Views

He defended his encouragement of the tourist invasion by suggesting that visitors were probably experiencing their most intimate encounter with black culture.".