Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Slave Entrance
[Zion Methodist Church]
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 18, 2020
In 19th century America, most people followed strict Biblical teachings. God's fourth Commandment to keep the Sabbath Holy was no exception. On any given Sunday morning it was normal to see small and large churches alike filled to their capacity. In many southern communities, such as this one, it was customary for owners to give their slaves, and even their animals a day of rest and many slave owners brought their slaves to formal Christian services.
This sanctuary, from its conception in 1857, was designed with the idea to permit slaves to worship here. When church construction started that year, this door was originally incorporated into the design as a slave entrance. It led to the balcony, or slave seating area at Zion. It was used in the antebellum south for slaves, and post war for freed blacks.
Slaves and freed blacks that attended this church had to enter this door, while their master's family entered from the front. A short divider wall running down the center of the sanctuary's first floor further segregated men from women. Women used the right front door to enter, and they sit on that side of the sanctuary, while men used the left front door.
When Jim Crow laws were abolished, this door was sealed from the inside in 1958. An entrance was made to the balcony from the inside the sanctuary, and the balcony area was turned into a youth Sunday school class space. This door and handle are original. The two front doors are also original, but the handles were modernized in this century when one of the old locks failed. There is also an original rear door, no longer seen from the exterior, that was used by the minister for entrance and exit to and from the main floor sanctuary.
Erected by Zion Methodist Church.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 11.644′ N, 77° 35.199′ W. Marker was in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker was on Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 208) just north of Massaponax Church Road (County Road 608), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 8700 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Slave Entrance (here, next to this marker); Pastor's Office (a few steps from this marker); Zion Methodist Church (a few steps from this marker); Civil War Veterans at Rest in Zion's Cemetery
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 18, 2020
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker which has different text.
Additional keywords. Segregation, Jim Crow South, Antebellum South, enslaved persons
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.