EDITOR’S NOTE
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Rev. Charles Washington has spent decades serving congregations across New Jersey and New York. But in the historic community of Sandy Ground — the oldest continuously inhabited Black settlement in the country, located in Rossville — the work he is doing now feels different.
Rev. Charles Washington delivers a sermon during Sunday service at Rossville AME Zion Church in Rossville on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)
A Staten Island upbringing
Washington was raised on Staten Island near the West Brighton Houses. His parents were Marie and Charlie Washington, and he attended P.S. 18, I.S. 27 and Susan E. Wagner High School in Willowbrook.
He later earned a degree in psychology and studied theology at New York Theological Seminary in Manhattan.
His path to ministry began at Shiloh AME Zion Church on Henderson Avenue in West Brighton, where he completed an internship.
Over the years, Washington pastored several congregations throughout New Jersey, including churches in Plainfield, Linden, Matawan and Carteret.
“I’m going into my 28th year,” he said of his ministry. “I started in 1998. After a while, you just don’t count. You just go and take care of the work.”
Washington and his wife, Marlene, have been married for 34 years. The couple has one daughter, Imani Rebecca Washington, who was born and raised on Staten Island.
Rev. Charles Washington delivers a sermon during Sunday service at Rossville AME Zion Church in Rossville on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)
A call that brought him home
In the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church tradition, pastors are appointed by a bishop. For years, Washington said he quietly hoped that appointment might eventually bring him back to Staten Island.
“For the last 10 years, I’ve been saying, ‘Sure, send me home. I’m tired of paying tolls,’” he said with a laugh.
When the call finally came in 2023 assigning him to Rossville AME Zion Church, he said the moment felt full circle and providential.
“When they called me for the Rossville AME Zion Church, it was like music to my ears,” Washington said.
“Sandy Ground is a vibrant community with both families who remain in the neighborhood and cemeteries that hold generations of residents dating back to the 1800s,” he added.
Rev. Charles Washington delivers a sermon during Sunday service at Rossville AME Zion Church in Rossville on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)
Preserving a legacy
Serving in Sandy Ground has given Washington a new sense of responsibility.
The church, founded in the 19th century, stands at the heart of Sandy Ground — a community established in 1828 by free Black farmers and later populated by Black oystermen from Snow Hill, Maryland.
Sandy Ground quickly developed a strong economic foundation through its oyster harvesting industry, allowing many residents to own homes and operate businesses.
Established in 1850, the AME Zion Church became a central institution and is believed to have played an important role in the Underground Railroad.
Several historic structures in the area, including the church and nearby homes, are now designated landmarks by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Rev. Charles Washington delivers a sermon during Sunday service at Rossville AME Zion Church in Rossville on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)
A small congregation with a big mission
The aging congregation presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
“With only 35 members and the average age [of them] about 70, we have to bring new members in,” Washington said. “Because once our seniors die out, the church will die out if we don’t bring new members.”
Washington hopes to attract younger generations by creating new programs and community activities.
He envisions after-school programs, youth ministries and even the return of organizations like the Boy Scouts.
Rev. Charles Washington delivers a sermon during Sunday service at Rossville AME Zion Church in Rossville on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)
“When I was coming up, we had community centers where kids could come and play chess, learn, read,” he said. “Just be vibrant in the community — not only be seen, but be involved.”
The church recently completed renovations to its basement, creating a community space with a modern kitchen and accessible bathrooms.
But the work is far from finished.
“The building is falling apart,” Washington said. “We have cracks, and as the structure gets old, it’s starting to decay. My belief has always been that the church should be the most beautiful building in the community. It’s God’s house.”
Rev. Charles Washington delivers a sermon during Sunday service at Rossville AME Zion Church in Rossville on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)
Looking to the future
Washington hopes Sandy Ground will continue to evolve while preserving its past.
Asked what he would like to see in 10 or 20 years, his answer was simple.
“A vibrant community,” he said. “Notice how I didn’t say Black community. This needs to be a community — a community of all people.”
Washington imagines a place where residents and visitors alike can learn about the settlement’s history through both tourism and education.
“I think it could be both,” he said.
Rev. Charles Washington joins residents and former residents of Sandy Ground who gather at Rossville A.M.E. Zion Church to share untold stories on Sunday, September 14, 2025, in Rossville. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)Owen Reiter
Colleges already bring students to tour the church and cemeteries, and visitors often call asking to see the historic site.
“People call me every day,” he said. “They want to tour Sandy Ground. They want to see the cemetery, find their relatives.”
However, some of the most enthusiastic visitors, he noted, have no familial or personal connection — they are simply history lovers.
“I’m amazed that sometimes I have people who are not even African Americans who are more enthusiastic about it than I am,” he said.
Rev. Charles Washington (L) and Jerome Moody join residents and former residents of Sandy Ground who gather at Rossville A.M.E. Zion Church to share untold stories on Sunday, September 14, 2025, in Rossville. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)Owen Reiter
A personal responsibility
Walking through the cemeteries and historic homes of Sandy Ground reminds Washington of the responsibility he carries.
“I have a lot of work to do,” he said. “I have a lot of information that I need. I have a lot of people that I don’t want to let down.”
For him, preserving Sandy Ground is not only about honoring the past but also about leaving something for the future.
“I want to leave a legacy behind me that people can be proud of,” Washington said.
His message to Staten Islanders — and anyone interested in the history of Sandy Ground — is straightforward.
“Come and see what God has done,” he said. “Because it’s just beginning, and he’s not done yet.”
Rev. Charles Washington delivers a sermon during Sunday service at Rossville AME Zion Church in Rossville on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)
How to help
Community members and preservation advocates can help the members of Rossville AME Zion Church. The group has initiated fundraising efforts to benefit repair of the landmarked structures in the community. To donate or volunteer, visit: rossvilleamezionny.org/giving.
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