Light on the Hill, A: The Surprising Story of How a Local Church in the Nation's Capital Influenced Evangelicalism

FORTHCOMING TITLE, ETA JUNE 2025

God’s Faithfulness on Display in an Engaging Church Biography

Capitol Hill Baptist Church, located just blocks away from the center of American power, has a rich 150-year history. Its members have participated in significant world events, advocated for religious freedoms, and spoken out against the moral failings of the times. There’s no doubt this church has had a unique impact on evangelicalism from a significant location. But these lively characters and their unique experiences only tell part of this engaging narrative. 

Through real-life stories, A Light on the Hill reveals how God works through church bodies and remains faithful during times of uncertainty. Exploring themes such as pastoral ministry, faithfulness, courage, racial reconciliation, church and politics, and more, this book will help readers see the long-term effects of faithful church ministries. Ultimately they will be encouraged to invest in a local church and preserve the gospel for the next generation.

• Engaging Biography: Compiled stories recount Capitol Hill Baptist Church’s unique history and its impact on evangelicalism
• Characters Come to Life: Abolitionist pastor who argued with Lincoln, a one-armed veteran, the widow who founded the church, a scamming pastor, a pastor whose beliefs were transformed by Martin Luther King Jr., and more
• Reoccurring Themes: Pastoral ministry, faithfulness, courage, racial reconciliation, church and politics, and more
• Appeals to Pastors, Church Members, and Historians: Offers valuable insights for leading congregations and provides personal spiritual encouragement 
• Includes Over 80 Photographs

352 pages

“Every Christian congregation has a history and a story to tell. In A Light on the Hill, Caleb Morell tells the story of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. You can take for granted that any church located in the heart of the federal government of America’s capital city is going to have a particularly interesting story. But this is no ordinary history. It is one of the most compelling histories of a church that I have ever read. It is really well done and tells the incredible story of a congregation that started with a vision of ministry to the nation’s capital but now reaches to the ends of the earth with its witness and influence. This is an honest and moving story of faithful believers who, in season and out of season, kept a congregation alive. Above all, it is a story of God’s faithfulness to Christ’s church.”
R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“This beautifully written, well-researched book tells the story of a faithful, Bible-believing, gospel-preaching church in our nation’s capital. It provides a fascinating and instructive picture of God’s providence in the life of a congregation. Those who are called to shepherd the flock will find meaningful encouragement, useful perspective, and sobering warning in this history of the Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. Christ loves his bride, and histories of his people gathered into congregations afford us the opportunity to reflect on God’s faithfulness to use his ordinary means of grace to accomplish his purposes and build up the church. I sat in the pews of this church when I was a teenager serving as a US Senate page. More recently, I have followed the ministry of this congregation for the last thirty years because it is pastored by my dear friend Mark Dever. But I had no idea that the history of this church was so interesting and important. Caleb Morell has now remedied that, and delightfully so. I’m so thankful for his diligence in mining the past and presenting it in such an enjoyable and edifying way.”
Ligon Duncan, Chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary