Mount Vernon Square in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Second Baptist Church
816 Third Street, NW
— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —
Photographed By Ray Gurganus, June 22, 2020
1. Second Baptist Church Marker
Second Baptist Church was organized in 1848 by seven members of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. Under the leadership of the Reverend Sandy Alexander — eventually one of the country's best-known black Baptist ministers — the church purchased this site in 1856 for its first permanent building. According to oral tradition, the building was a stop on the Underground Railroad. The church ran a children's day school after the Civil War and later established a Sunday School Lyceum, attracting such nationally prominent speakers as Frederick Douglass and Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Sr.
The present Gothic Revival church (1894) was designed by white architect Appleton P Clark, Jr.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Architecture • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list.
Location. 38° 54.05′ N, 77° 0.917′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Mount Vernon Square. Marker is on 3rd Street Northwest just north of H Street Northwest, on the left
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. On This Corner … (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prather's Alley: A Story of Continuity (approx. 0.2 miles away); Victims of Communism Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Cristoforo Colombo (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Victims of Communism Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Lin Han, noodle master (approx. ¼ mile away); Discover DC / Judiciary Square (approx. ¼ mile away); "Surratt Boarding House" (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Photographed By Ray Gurganus, July 14, 2020
2. Marker next to the church door
Photographed By Ray Gurganus, July 14, 2020
3. Second Baptist Church
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2020, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 12, 2020, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2020, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
