Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler, a towering figure in Washington's pulpit and protest circles who led Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Northeast for decades, died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. He was 71. Church leaders said they were "gutted" by the loss and opened the sanctuary so people could gather, pray and sit with the news together.
Plymouth Announces His Passing
On its homepage, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ shared that Hagler "passed away this morning after a courageous bout with cancer" and encouraged members to contact the church for pastoral care. The notice explained that the sanctuary would stay open for prayer, reflection and quiet gathering while his family makes memorial arrangements. The church posted the full statement on its website: Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ.
Three Decades At Plymouth
Born in Baltimore on March 1, 1954, Hagler grew into a mainstay of the District's religious and activist life, according to The Washington Informer. He served as senior minister at Plymouth for more than 30 years before retiring from the pulpit in 2022, later remaining connected to the congregation as pastor emeritus. The Washington Informer has chronicled his ministry and wide-ranging community work.
From Pulpit To Protest
Hagler was as present in the streets as he was in the sanctuary, taking outspoken positions on housing, labor and international human-rights struggles. He served as a co-chair of the D.C. Poor People's Campaign, according to NCBA CLUSA. He also co-chaired Mayor Muriel Bowser's Black Homeownership Strike Force, an advisory group formed in 2022 to increase Black homeownership in the city, per Mayor Muriel Bowser's office.
City Leaders React
Local officials and fellow clergy praised Hagler for his willingness to "speak truth to power" and to live out his theology in public life. Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George remembered him as "unafraid and unapologetic," while organizer Andy Shallal said the city had tried to "give him his flowers" before his passing. Those tributes, along with coverage of recent events honoring his work, are collected by The Washington Informer.
Sanctuary Open, Memorial Plans To Come
The church's notice said Plymouth's sanctuary will remain open for prayer and quiet gathering and that the congregation will still hold its scheduled Ash Wednesday service, with space set aside for communal prayer. The message added that his family will determine memorial arrangements and that the church will share dates and times once they are set. That guidance appears on the church homepage: Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ.
What He Leaves Behind
Hagler continued writing and organizing into 2026, publishing essays on moral resistance and remaining a visible presence at demonstrations through 2025. His recent work appeared in outlets such as CounterPunch, and he also published on platforms including Nation of Change, reflecting a ministry that bridged the pulpit and public dissent.
