In 1907 Mt. Tabor United Church of Christ was established. Unfortunately in 2004, Mt. Tabor ceased to function as a congregation.

 

In spite of offers to purchase the building, the “Spirit led” members of Mt. Tabor chose to give the building to the Wisconsin Conference.

 

In December of 2004, the Wisconsin Conference Minister Rev. David Moyer, met with Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., Pastor of Trinity U.C.C., in Chicago, IL to seek his assistance in “planting” a new African American United Church of Christ congregation in the Milwaukee Area.

 

Rev. Dr. Wright with the approval of the Wisconsin conference selected Rev. Wanda J. Washington as the founding pastor for this “new church start.” In February of 2006, Rev. Wanda J. Washington and her husband Wayne H. Washington Sr. relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to take on the challenge of providing leadership to this new ministry.

 

Rev. Washington holds a bachelor’s degree from Mac Murray College in Jacksonville, Ill, a master’s degree from The Ohio State University, and a Master’s of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary.

 

Before accepting her call to ministry, Rev. Washington was an educator.  She taught for 19 years with special needs students.

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In 1992 she joined the staff of Trinity United Church of Christ, where she served as Director of Pastoral Services for 14 years.

 

On April 9th, 2006, Grace UCC took its first breath. This was a power-packed and spirit-filled service. The sanctuary was completely full! In attendance on this day was State Senator Lena Taylor who came to give her support to this new ministry.

 

Also present was the Wisconsin Conference Minister, Rev. David Moyer, Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Joanne Thomson, Southeast Association Minister, Dr. Thomas Bentz, and several ministers from Trinity were present to show their support to a new ministry.