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MVT Celebrates Black History Month: Spotlight on Pastor-Elect of the historic Mount Carmel Baptist Church Reverend Dr. T. Ashby Banister III 

Friday February 27, 2026

As February comes to an end, we conclude our Black History Month celebrations with a final spotlight on a community leader that contributes to the fabric of Mount Vernon Triangle’s daily success. This week we celebrate Reverend Dr. T Ashby Banister III who was installed as the 12th Senior Pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Mount Vernon Triangle in October, 2025.

The Rev. Dr. Banister is the son of Deacon Thomas A. Banister, Jr. and the Reverend Iris J. Banister of Rochester, NY. He is a 1998 graduate of Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. After attending the Divinity School at Duke University, earning a Master of Divinity in 2003, he completed doctoral studies in ministry at Virginia Union University’s Samuel D. Proctor School of Theology in May 2010. In 2011, Dr. Banister furthered his studies at Oxford University’s prestigious Proclaimer’s Place Program, an intensive study with some of the brightest minds from around the globe in the Christian church today. As a result of his participation, he was selected by committee to preach for the United Kingdom’s first African American Preaching Festival, a celebration designed to expose Europe to the power and artistry of Black preaching.

Rev. Dr. Banister comes to the historic Mount Carmel Baptist Church after nineteen years of ministry and fellowship with the Temple Memorial Baptist Church, one of High Point, NC’s premier pulpits. Joining him here in Washington, DC is his wife, Dr. Tarsha W. Banister, formerly of Raleigh, NC and together they are the proud parents of two daughters, DeMaris, age 25, and Minister DeMia Banister, age 16.

Read our interview with Rev. Dr. Banister below and learn more about how the wider Mount Vernon Triangle community will have the opportunity to engage and worship with the Mount Carmel Baptist Church congregation as they prepare to celebrate their 150th Anniversary in 2026.

MVT CID: What brought you to Mount Vernon Triangle?

Rev. Dr. Banister: I was called to serve as pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, and that calling brought me to Mount Vernon Triangle. Mt. Carmel is not just a church in this neighborhood — it is a historic spiritual anchor in the heart of Washington, DC. What drew me here was the opportunity to shepherd a congregation with deep roots and a strong witness, positioned in one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic communities in the city.

Mount Vernon Triangle is a place where history and innovation intersect. As a pastor, I see that as providential. We are called to honor the legacy that built this church while engaging the new residents, families, and professionals who now call MVT home. I believe God is doing something intentional at this intersection of faith, culture, and community.

MVT CID: What does the word “legacy” mean to you?

Rev. Dr. Banister: Legacy, to me, is what remains when we are no longer in the room. It is the spiritual, moral, and communal imprint we leave behind. In a church context, legacy is faith passed down, doors kept open, prayers that outlive the people who prayed them, and the courage of previous generations who sacrificed so the next generation could stand stronger. Legacy is not just about longevity — it is about faithfulness.

For Mt. Carmel, legacy means honoring 150 years of ministry while building structures, disciples, and community partnerships that will serve the next 150 years. Legacy is responsibility. It asks us not just what we inherited, but what we will improve, strengthen, and pass forward.

MVT CID: Are there any upcoming events or services at Mount Carmel Baptist Church that you would like us to highlight?

Rev. Dr. Banister: Yes. As we approach our 150th Anniversary in 2026, we are entering a season of celebration and community engagement. We will be hosting a series of events leading up to the anniversary in November. Our most immediate event will take place Easter weekend, beginning with an 11am joint Good Friday worship experience at Second Baptist Church. And on Easter Sunday, we will host a Community Easter Egg Hunt and family fellowship on-site following the worship service. We will also host events in the Summer and Fall as we wind down to our  commemorative Anniversary Gala in November 2026.

We invite the Mount Vernon Triangle community to worship with us on Sundays at 10am and to partner with us as we continue to expand our community ministries, including outreach efforts, health and wellness initiatives, and opportunities for neighbors to connect through fun, fellowship, family, and service.

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