Downtown in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Freemason Street Baptist Church
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
1. Freemason Street Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
Freemason Street Baptist Church. . In May 1848 former members of the Cumberland Street Baptist Church organized to become the Freemason Street Baptist Church. A new church building was begun that year and completed and dedicated in May 1850. The Reverend Tiberius Gracchus Jones, a noted author and preacher, was the church's first pastor. Thomas Ustick Walter (1804-1887) of Philadelphia, of the most prominent architects of the mid-19th century, designed the Gothic Revival structure. In Norfolk, Walter also designed the Norfolk Academy building (1840) and consulted on the dome for the City Hall and Courthouse (1850). He later gained fame as the architect of the massive dome of the U.S. Capitol. With its original steeple, higher than the present one, Freemason Street Baptist Church was the tallest structure in Norfolk from 1850 to 1879. During a severe storm in August 1879 the steeple was blown off and landed in Freemason Street. It was replaced with the present steeple in 1897. The church building is included on the National Register of Historic Places.
In May 1848 former members of the Cumberland Street Baptist Church organized to become the Freemason Street Baptist Church. A new church building was begun that year and completed and dedicated in May 1850.
The Reverend Tiberius Gracchus Jones, a noted author and preacher, was the church's first pastor. Thomas Ustick Walter (1804-1887) of Philadelphia, of the most prominent architects of the mid-19th century, designed the Gothic Revival structure. In Norfolk, Walter also designed the Norfolk Academy building (1840) and consulted on the dome for the City Hall and Courthouse (1850). He later gained fame as the architect of the massive dome of the U.S. Capitol. With its original steeple, higher than the present one, Freemason Street Baptist Church was the tallest structure in Norfolk from 1850 to 1879. During a severe storm in August 1879 the steeple was blown off and landed in Freemason Street. It was replaced with the present steeple in 1897. The church building is included on the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected by City of Norfolk.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1848.
Location. 36° 51.019′ N, 76° 17.215′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is
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in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of East Freemason Street and Bank Street, on the left when traveling east on East Freemason Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 E Freemason St, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Freemason Street Baptist Church has been registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark
pursuant to the authority vested in the Virginia Board of Historic Resources.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,102 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on February 5, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 4. submitted on May 8, 2013, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. 5. submitted on June 8, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. 6. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.