About Us

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The Combined History of Agape 1 Worship Center International

"Honoring Our Past, Advancing Our Future"

Agape 1 Worship Center International was formed through the unification of two ministries with distinct but complementary histories: Agape 1 Way of the Cross Church of Christ International and Holy Trinity Worship Center International. Though established generations apart, both congregations were founded upon a commitment to biblical truth, evangelism, compassionate outreach, and service to the community.

Their union on January 1, 2025, brought together more than a century of ministry and created one church family under the leadership of Bishop Royce L. Woods, General Overseer, and Elder Howwin Carter, Jr., Senior Pastor.

The History of Agape 1 Church of Christ

The foundation of Agape 1 Church of Christ was laid in April 1998, when Minister Howwin Carter, Jr. and Missionary Yvonne Carter began holding Bible study in their home with the blessing of their pastor, Bishop Alfonzo D. Brooks of the Way of the Cross Church of Christ International.

The gathering began with a small group of people, some of whom were spiritually displaced, unchurched, or searching for a clearer understanding of biblical truth. As the Bible study grew, so did the Carters’ burden to minister more fully to the spiritual and practical needs of those attending. God led them to establish a place where consistent teaching, preaching, worship, and fellowship could take place.

In August 1999, Agape 1 Church of Christ, Incorporated was officially established as a ministry of deliverance, reconciliation, and restoration. The Lord led Elder and Evangelist Carter to historic Anacostia in Southeast Washington, D.C., where they secured the former home of Union Temple Baptist Church at 2000–2002 Fourteenth Street, Southeast. The historic congregation that previously occupied the building was founded by the late Reverend Chester Smallwood, grandfather of renowned gospel artist Reverend Richard Smallwood.

The Reverend Willie F. Wilson graciously leased the property to the newly established ministry, and Bishop Alfonzo D. Brooks officially installed Elder Howwin Carter, Jr. as pastor. After six years of ministry at that location, the congregation was blessed to purchase the property and establish it as its permanent home.

From its beginning, Agape 1 sought to address the spiritual and practical needs of people while reaching into the surrounding community. Its ministries were founded upon the belief that the Church must proclaim biblical truth, care for people, restore the broken, and lead souls to Jesus Christ.

After approximately 15 years as an independent ministry, Agape 1 Church of Christ prayerfully returned to its spiritual roots. On August 7, 2015, following the installation of Bishop Alfonzo D. Brooks as Presiding Bishop of the Way of the Cross Church of Christ International, Agape 1 became the first congregation received into the organization under his administration. The church was subsequently known as Agape 1 Way of the Cross Church of Christ International.

Throughout its years as an independent ministry, Agape 1 maintained a close spiritual relationship with Bishop Brooks and the Way of the Cross family. His consistent guidance, love, and investment in Elder Carter as a spiritual father remained an important part of the church’s development.

In 2021, Agape 1 sold its Southeast Washington property and purchased a new church home at 5007 Meadowbrook Drive in Suitland, Maryland. Through the faithfulness of God and the commitment of the congregation, the mortgage on that property was satisfied in the same year.

The History of Holy Trinity Worship Center International

The ministry that became Holy Trinity Worship Center International began in 1910 as the Church of the Holy Trinity Apostolic. Its first services were held in an upper room at 1109 R Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C. Recognized in its history as the first established Holiness church in the nation’s capital, the congregation was founded by Elder Lewis T. Chapman following his introduction to the Pentecostal experience through Elder William J. Seymour, leader of the historic Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California.

The congregation grew rapidly between 1914 and 1918. In 1918, it relocated to 1635 Eleventh Street, Northwest. On August 2, 1921, the members voted to incorporate the church and elected Barney Peyton as chairman, William A. Diuguid as treasurer, Howard H. Hennings as secretary, and Adolph S. Ford and Robert Johnson as trustees. The church was officially registered as a corporation with the District of Columbia government on August 25, 1921.

In 1924, the congregation purchased land and constructed a church at 1618 Eleventh Street, Northwest. On the first Sunday in November 1924, the saints marched joyfully into their new sanctuary, praising God for His faithfulness.

Elder Lewis T. Chapman served faithfully as the founding pastor for 21 years. He was succeeded by Elder Howard H. Hennings, who led the congregation until 1941. Elder Samuel Windsor, who had served as Elder Hennings’ assistant, subsequently became pastor and served for approximately one year before being called home to be with the Lord in 1942.

Bishop Arthur Russell Christian, Sr. was then called to lead the congregation. Affectionately known by the members as “Papa,” Bishop Christian served faithfully for 46½ years. He was respected for his spiritual insight and his ability to unfold the mysteries recorded in the Book of Revelation. During his pastorate, Elder Melvin K. served as assistant pastor from 1959 until 1964, followed by Elder Daniel Thompson, who served from 1966 until 1972.

In 1955, the Church of the Holy Trinity affiliated with King’s Apostle Holiness Church of God, Incorporated, where it served faithfully until 1995. Bishop Christian served within that organization as spiritual advisor and later as vice bishop.

The congregation demonstrated tremendous faith and unity throughout its history. In 1980, Deacon Gerald Davis led an effort to satisfy the second trust on the Eleventh Street sanctuary. Present and former members, along with their families and friends, contributed to the campaign, and the mortgage was burned in May 1980.

In March 1981, Bishop Christian shared the vision God had given him for a new church building and entrusted that assignment to the trustees. Before construction began, Elder George Chisley called the congregation to a month of special prayer. A building-fund campaign was then organized under the leadership of Evangelist Paulina Chisley.

The deacons and trustees selected a site at 4628 Minnesota Avenue, Northeast, Washington, D.C. Robert Nash and Associates was chosen as the architectural firm, and Brake & Keesey was selected as the general contractor. Financing was provided through Marine National Bank of Jacksonville, Florida, and the groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 11, 1982.

On October 31, 1983, the congregation marched into its new church home. The sanctuary furnishings were purchased through generous donations from members, friends, and ministries of the King’s Apostle organization. Through extraordinary faith and sacrifice, the congregation satisfied the first trust within 15 months and the second mortgage within four years.

Following the passing of Bishop Christian on May 20, 1989, Bishop Eugene Baltimore, General Overseer, placed the church’s deacons under the leadership of Deacon Gerald Davis, who served as officer in charge. During the five years that followed, a faithful remnant remained steadfast and continued the work of the ministry. Bishop Wilbert Baltimore served as pastoral advisor and guided the congregation through its pastoral-selection process.

On January 22, 1995, Bishop Royce L. Woods was installed as the fifth pastor in the history of the Church of the Holy Trinity. Before accepting the pastorate, Bishop Woods led Antioch Spiritual Center, a ministry that began through street evangelism and radio broadcasting and later grew from the basement of his home to a location on Sheriff Road, Northeast. When Bishop Woods answered the call to serve Holy Trinity, the Antioch congregation joined him in fellowship, bringing the two ministry families together.

Under Bishop Woods’ leadership, the church expanded its ministry and community outreach. Alongside its established ministerial, deacon, trustee, deaconess, missionary, usher, Sunday school, nursing, pastoral-care, music, Christian-education, youth, and prison ministries, the church developed additional ministries for men, women, couples, singles, communications, and hospitality.

The Trinity Bible Institute was also established, with Bishop Woods serving as president and Lady Catherine Woods serving as dean. The institute became an important source of biblical education and successfully graduated two Bachelor of Theology classes.

As the ministry continued to grow and its vision expanded, the congregation became known as Holy Trinity Worship Center International. Throughout every season, its mission remained centered on sharing the plan of salvation, compelling people to come to Christ, and serving as a lighthouse and saving station within the community.

The Merger and New Vision

After much prayer, conversation, and spiritual consideration, Agape 1 Way of the Cross Church of Christ International and Holy Trinity Worship Center International united on January 1, 2025, to become Agape 1 Worship Center International.

The merger brought together Holy Trinity’s historic legacy, dating back to 1910, and Agape 1’s ministry of deliverance, reconciliation, and restoration, established in 1999. It was more than the joining of two congregations; it was the uniting of two spiritual families, two histories, and two God-given visions.

As part of this transition, the congregation established its ministry home at Holy Trinity’s historic Minnesota Avenue location. Bishop Royce L. Woods became Pastor Emeritus of Holy Trinity Worship Center International and General Overseer of Agape 1 Worship Center International, while Elder Howwin Carter, Jr. continued his pastoral ministry as Senior Pastor. Lady Catherine Woods and Lady Yvonne Carter have likewise remained vital to the church’s ministry, leadership, and shared vision.

Today, Agape 1 Worship Center International honors the sacrifices, prayers, leadership, and faithfulness of all who helped build both congregations. The church remains committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, teaching biblical truth, restoring lives, developing disciples, serving the community, and extending the love of God to all people.

With gratitude for its past and faith for its future, Agape 1 Worship Center International moves forward as one church and one ministry family—honoring its rich heritage while embracing the new work God has ordained.

“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.”

—Habakkuk 2:3