Portraits of Faith: Dr. Ella Redfield

Wheaton's diversity is well-known, but that diversity also extends to the faith communities which worship in the area. Here's a chance to meet the people who lead the churches, synagogues and temples that make up Wheaton.

This week, Patch talked with Reverend Ella Redfield, leader of New Creation Church on Dayton Street:

Patch: Describe your congregation.

Ella Redfield: It is basically an African-American congregation; however, we are open to all people. We do have a variety of people who come to our services. It is a mixture of middle age, some older, some younger. We are a small congregation with about 50 active members. We are a very open congregation. We are very liberal in our theology.

Patch: How do you reach out to your churchgoers?

ER: We have different activities. We design activities that will meet the needs of our congregants. We have a New Life Hour and Bible study. New Life Hour is a Sunday morning personal learning hour. It is not like Sunday school, but is more focused on individual spirituality. We explore books and anything that brings a spiritual context message. We read books like The Four Agreements and The Power of Intention.

We also have some fun things, like a jazz festival. And we like to go on excursions, like a trip to New York to see Broadway plays.

Patch: How did you become a pastor?

ER: I graduated from the Howard University School of Divinity. I was an Associate Minister at Zion Baptist Church in Washington, DC. Since I am a native of Silver Spring and lived in Wheaton for 32 years, I really wanted to come back here to bring a new voice to the area.

I pioneered New Creation Church in 1994. We started in the Wheaton Presbyterian Church, which has since closed down. They opened their doors to us and allowed us to share space with them for six years.

We purchased our current building in 2000. The building has been here for more than 100 years. It was a piece of property that was purchased by the African American Episcopal Church in 1871 or 1873.

We are the second owners. The graves out front are from the previous owners. The oldest graves that we can see are from the late 1890s. Certainly there were more; however, since a lot of these were ex-slaves, they didn’t have money for tombstones, so would mark the graves with large rocks or bushes. There is one with a rose garden planted on top.

Patch: What do you think the place of religion should be in wider society?

ER: I think religion plays a very significant role in wider society. I take it a step further. In my church, I try not to be so dogmatic about religion, but be dogmatic about spirituality. I preach and teach about what’s on the inside. If we can let the spirit of God come out from the inside, it will show on the outside.

If something is not right on the inside, it shows itself in addictions and poor behavior. Likewise, when there is calmness and wholeness and peace on the inside, it shows in kindness and love and generosity on the outside.

Patch: What is your favorite place in Wheaton?

ER: I love Brookside Gardens. I also go to Wheaton Plaza quite a bit. I’m glad that they have new places in the mall now, like the Panera Bread.

New Creation Church is located at 11005 Dayton Street. Phone: 301-649-6000.