Site of First Baptist Church Marker

HMdb.org

THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE “Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”

Home — My Markers — Add A Marker — Marker Series — Links & Books — Forum — About Us

Word or Phrase

Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print

Williamsburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Site of First Baptist Church

By Bernard Fisher, May 13, 2012

1. Site of First Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. In the last quarter of the eighteenth century, two black preachers, first Moses, then Gowan Pamphlet, began holding religious services out of doors for free blacks and slaves in the Williamsburg area. Although identified as an organized Baptist church by 1781, the earliest in Williamsburg, reluctance to recognize an all black congregation postponed its official acceptance by the regional Baptist association until 1793. By 1818, and perhaps earlier, the “African Church”, as it was called, met here in a wooden building on land given to the church by Jesse Cole. The structure was replaced shortly before the Civil War by a brick church, in use until 1955. By then known as “The First Baptist Church”, the congregation moved into new facilities on Scotland Street where it continues today.

Location. 37° 16.209′ N, 76° 42.241′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia. Marker is on South Nassau Street north of West Francis Street, on the left when traveling north. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Public Hospital of 1773 (about 500 feet away, in a direct line); George Wythe House and Gardens (approx. 0.2 miles away); Williamsburg Confederate Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); The College of William and Mary in Virginia (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the First Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Magazine and Guardhouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Norborne Berkeley, Baron de Botetourt (approx. ¼ mile away); Indian School at the College of William & Mary (approx. ¼ mile away). Click for a list of all markers in Williamsburg.

By Bernard Fisher, May 13, 2012

2. Site of First Baptist Church Marker

Also see . . . History of First Baptist Church. (Submitted on May 14, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)

Credits. This page originally submitted on May 14, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 148 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.