the new church was named union bethel ame. during the civil war years, the presiding prelate was the right reverend daniel payne. of the four churches under his charge, israel bethel and union bethel were the largest. israel bethel was an especially politically active church. the church pastor was involved in local and national politics. in the spring of 1862, the legislation to emancipate the enslaved in the district of columbia was working its way through congress and on to president abraham lincoln for his signature. reverend turner preached sermons and made israel bethel available for meetings supportive of the legislation. further, bishop payne went to the white house in mid april met with the president, and spoke in support of the legislation. the sunday after president lincoln signed the manumission bill, there was a citywide service to celebrate. at the service, bishop payne preached a celebratory sermon, "welcome to the ransom." he stressed that liberation brings the responsibility of good citizenship. the following ye