The origins of the Plymouth Congregational Church start with the Union Bethel A.M.E. Church in Washington, D.C. On May 17th, 114 members of the church gathered in the home of Hannah Davis in order to create a separate organization. The members were not in favor of the church structure of Union Bethel A.M.E., particularly the power of the bishop. The first service was held a month later on June 12, 1881 with pastor William T. Peele presiding.

The church would move around to various locations until 1887, when a new building at 17th and P street was completed. The mortgage for this building would be paid in 1897. In 1921, the Junior and Senior Endeavor Societies were formed. That same year the community raised $1500 toward a girls’ dormitory located in Galangue, Western Africa (now Angola). The church would purchase a parsonage in 1924, located on Hobart Place, NW.

The church started their first newsletter, The Plymouth Monthly, in May 1942 and would continue until June 1958. The church installed memorial windows and dedicated them in May 1943. Service would continue in the original church until October 8, 1961 in favor of a new church located at 5301 North Capitol Street. That new church is still the location Plymouth Congregational Church resides in as of 2021. In 1963, the church opened its doors and hosted events for the March on Washington and the Poor People’s Campaign.

The church hosted the 1979 United Church of Christ General Synod. In 1981, the church celebrated the centennial celebration which included numerous events such as a Crusteaun Feast and pageants. Ophelia T. Pinkard would join and establish the church archives in 1982. That same year, a fire would do considerable damage to the Education Building and it would take a year to fully rebuild. The church would continue to grow and is still active as of July 2021.