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

The First Baptist Church

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The First Baptist Church Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021
1. The First Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
The historic First Baptist Church of Williamsburg dates its origin back to early colonial days. Blacks were privileged to worship at Bruton Parish Church, but they were not fully included in the worship service. The Blacks built a brush arbor on the Green Spring Plantation, where they worshiped early in the morning, late at night, and sometimes in secret. Blacks built a second brush arbor at Raccoon Chase near Williamsburg, where they gathered for prayers and spiritual strength. Jesse Cole heard of the plight of the Blacks and offered them use of his carriage house in Williamsburg.

The first Baptist church was organized in 1776, by Blacks for Blacks, and was the first Baptist church in the Williamsburg area, Black or White.

1855 - The congregation built a brick church on Nassau Street.
1856 - The church was dedicated and served the community for a hundred years.
1956 - The present church was dedicated.

This plaque was a gift to the church on its 237th anniversary on October 13, 2013, by the History Ministry.
 
Erected 2013 by The History Ministry of First Baptist Church.
 
Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: African AmericansReligion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is October 13, 2013.
 
Location. 37° 16.431′ N, 76° 42.66′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is on Scotland Street just west of Prince George Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 727 Scotland St, Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula, in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. 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 (a few steps
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from this marker); MLK Triangle (within shouting distance of this marker); First Balloon Flight in Virginia (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bicentennial Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away); Arthur Azo Matsu (approx. 0.2 miles away); College Camp (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Alumni of the College of William and Mary (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 418 times since then and 46 times this year. Photo   1. submitted on March 2, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
 
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Jul. 16, 2026