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

First Baptist Church

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 12, 2020

1. First Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. First Baptist Church, one of the nation's oldest African American congregations, traces its origins to 1756, when worshipers known as New Lights began meeting outside Petersburg. The congregation moved to the city about 1820 and opened a sanctuary here in 1863. After the building burned in 1866 during a wave of arson targeting Petersburg's black churches, the present sanctuary was built in the Romanesque style and dedicated in 1872. Peabody High School originated in the church in 1870. During the Civil Rights Movement, First Baptist was a center for community organization. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke here in 1962 at a regional meeting of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Erected 2019 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number QA-40.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1756.

Location. 37° 13.386′ N, 77° 24.213′ W. Marker is in Petersburg,

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Virginia. It is on Harrison Street north of Liberty Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 236 Harrison Street, Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named First Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Peabody High School (within shouting distance of this marker); Prince Hall Masons in Virginia (within shouting distance of this marker); Gothic Cottage (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Earliest Known Public High School for African Americans in Virginia

Harrison Street (facing north) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 12, 2020

2. Harrison Street (facing north)

(about 500 feet away); McKenney House (about 500 feet away); Virginia Voters League (about 500 feet away); Weddell-McCabe-Chisholm House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Earliest Known Public High School for African Americans in Virginia (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

First Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 12, 2020

3. First Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 733 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 12, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.