The Family (C Street)

The Family, also known as the Fellowship, operates as a deliberately low-profile Christian political organization founded in 1935 by Abraham Vereide. The group centers its activities around a Capitol Hill townhouse on C Street in Washington, D.C., where members of Congress have lived and participated in prayer meetings and religious discussions.

The organization's approach emphasizes personal relationships and quiet influence rather than public advocacy, seeking to apply Christian principles to political leadership through private mentorship and fellowship. The Family has facilitated connections between American political leaders and international figures, including hosting the annual National Prayer Breakfast attended by presidents and foreign dignitaries.

Investigative journalists have documented the organization's secretive operating style, including its reluctance to discuss membership, funding sources, or specific political activities. The C Street house has housed numerous Republican congressmen who have described it as providing spiritual guidance and accountability, though critics note the arrangement's potential ethical implications.

The Family's international activities have included organizing leadership conferences and facilitating relationships between American officials and controversial foreign leaders. Jeff Sharlet's investigative reporting revealed the organization's extensive network and influence, raising questions about the separation of church and state and the transparency of religious influence in American politics.