Meet our Pastor

Rev. Samuel W. Whittaker

Is a native Washingtonian; he was educated in DC public schools and received his college degree in Sociology from the University of the District of Columbia. He holds a Certificate of Completion from the Wesley Theological Seminary. Rev. Whittaker has completed his requirements for Clinical Pastoral Education and serves as a contract chaplain at the Washington Hospital Center. He also served on the board of the District of Columbia’s Corrections Information Council (CIC) inspecting and monitoring prisons though out the United States. Currently Rev. Whittaker serves as Supervisory Chaplain at the Washington, DC Department of Corrections Central Detention Facility, and is presently a board member of the newly formed Washington, D.C Clemency Board.

As a pastor in the Washington, D.C. area, Rev. Whittaker has seen and pastored many returning citizens from incarceration. It is his passion to help all who are willing to have a second chance at becoming a positive force in the community where they live. From 2005 to 2014 while pastoring Contee A.M.E. Zion church Rev. Whittaker helped many people find their way to a productive way of life through faith-based initiatives. After over thirty years the Lord is blessing this pastor and congregation with a fresh anointing to witness and proclaim the good news to all God’s children. Rev. Whittaker ministers to people of all faith cultures.

Rev. Whittaker fell in love with God while a senior in high school and joined Trinity AME Zion Church, Washington, DC, under the pastorate of Bishop Richard K. Thompson. There, he grew and was nurtured in the ways of the Lord. Rev. Whittaker was called into the ministry in 1982 and served as assistant Pastor while at Trinity.

Rev. Whittaker's desire has always been to serve the Lord, and as a result of his faithfulness was called upon to Pastor St. John AME Zion Church, Odenton, Maryland, Union AME Zion Church, New Castle, Delaware, Contee A.M.E. Zion Church Washington, DC, Lomax AME Zion Church, Arlington, VA and presently serves the North Brentwood A.M.E. Zion Church, North Brentwood MD.

Rev. Whittaker is married to his childhood sweetheart Yvette Casey Whittaker, and has been married for 38 years. Out of their union came three children Matthew, Christina, and Angela.

Our mission

To equip the membership through the preaching and teaching of God's Word to follow Christ in every area of life, and to draw the unchurched to the body of Christ through our witness.

To serve as a community of worship and fellowship - to manifest the presence and love of Jesus. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). God originally made man for His own pleasure, to enjoy his fellowship and worship (Revelations 4:11, John 4:23). Thus a part of the Lord's purpose of the church, besides bringing people to God, is to gather His people together and facilitate a corporate environment of worship, to express our love toward His and one another.

To mature believers and prepare them to perform works of ministry. "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12). Another important mission of the church, by means of its ministry, is to strengthen the body of believers and equip them for works or ministry. The church should be an atmosphere of spiritual edification, where God's Word is taught, where believers are grounded, discipled, and let toward maturity.

We are a family church

North Brentwood A.M.E. Zion Church is a place of worship, where all families and generations are welcomed. We are a loving and friendly congregation, who are passionate about people and serving the Lord through fellowship and in our daily walk with the Lord.

We utilize the Holy Bible as our foundation of faith, wisdom, and encouragement; and all are invited to partake in hearing a good message throughout our weekly services. If you are ever in the North Brentwood area, come visit us or follow us on Facebook to stay connected with us!

Our History

North Brentwood A.M.E. Zion Church is embedded in the history of the Town of North Brentwood which was deeded to slaves shortly after the Civil War. By May 1913 Rev. George W. Rice and a small group of North Brentwood residents organized to bring a Methodist Church to the community. Through the years, members of the congregation sacrificed their homes and properties to raise funds to grow the edifice to accommodate the burgeoning congregation.

The current location on Webster Street was deemed to be ideal, but Blacks were not permitted to own land on the North side of Webster Street. Undaunted, the congregation pressed on with persistent prayer. Their prayers were answered when Judge Arnold, a fair white man, purchased the land and sold it to the congregation. To God be the glory!

Services were held in what is now the lower auditorium until November 6, 1932 when the small group of “Dyed in the wool Methodists” and Rev. Chesterfield Jackson moved upstairs to the present auditorium with a week long celebration.

The North Brentwood African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is in the historical registry. The church is described as “a handsome brick structure with Gothic Revival elements in an urban setting.” It is considered a noticeable landmark in one of the older black suburbs of the Nation’s Capital.