Clarendon Presbyterian Church is a progressive, diverse, and inclusive church community located in the heart of the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington, Va., just two blocks from the Clarendon Metro station.  

We are a congregation in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and a member of National Capital Presbytery. We’re also members of the More Light Presbyterians network of congregations, working for the full participation of LGBTQ people of faith in the life of the church.

We are young and old, straight and gay, singles, couples and families of all kinds. Some of us are life-long Presbyterians. Some come from other Protestant denominations or were raised Roman Catholic or come from other faith traditions. And some of us are altogether new to a faith community. 

We are a vibrant congregation of approximately 90 members and friends, and we strive to be a church that welcomes and celebrates all people. If you have questions or suggestions about inclusion or accessibility, please contact Pastor Alice.

Clarendon Presbyterian Church (CPC) has a long history of doing the right thing and speaking truth to power. In the ‘60s, CPC fought for civil rights, created protest kits for the Poor People’s Campaign in Washington, and became active in fair housing initiatives in Arlington County and D.C. In the ‘70s, we maintained a food pantry that later developed into AFAC – Arlington Food Assistance Center. During the ‘80s, CPC provided space in our building for Whitman Walker Clinic to hold AIDS support groups as the epidemic surged. 

In the ‘90s, CPC elected the first openly gay Elder in Virginia before it was actually "legal" in the Presbyterian Church, and we became a More Light congregation. In the following decade, we supported the fight for marriage equality. We instituted a Marriage Policy whereby our Pastor offered religious blessings (of marriages and same-sex unions) but would not function as an agent of the state until Virginia legalized gay marriage, resulting in significant national media publicity, letters of support, death threats, and financial donations from all over the country. 

In more recent years, we have joined V.O.I.C.E. , Virginians Organized in Interfaith Community Engagement, and are active advocating for affordable housing and behaviorial health services. We support Bridges to Independence and New Hope Housing with monthly food and toiletry drives and other seasonal activities. We  partner with and support IMPACTO LGBT, a leadership development and support organization who are also a new worshipping community in the PCUSA.  IMPACTO LGBT leads the congregation in worship on a quarterly basis.  These services are bilingual in Spanish and English. 

Our Plot Against Hunger garden produces about 500 lbs of fresh pesticide free homegrown veggies for our neighbors who are food insecure. 

We have recently invested in Playground Church as a way for families with experience God in creation. 

We regularly attend demonstrations the annual D.C. Pride Parade and local civic events. We recently hosted a much needed Narcan training in our sanctuary. 

We seek to host local advocacy and support groups in our church.  We also seek to support small businesses by renting space for use outside of Sunday mornings.  Please contact Pastor Alice if you are interested in using the church space.