North Chesterfield in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Bethlehem Baptist Church

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 3, 2021

1. Bethlehem Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Bethlehem Baptist Church, first known as Cox's Meeting House and then Spring Creek Church, was formally organized several miles northwest of here in 1790. Founding pastor Benjamin Watkins served for 41 years. African Americans constituted a significant portion of the congregation before departing to establish separate churches in the 1840s and shortly after the Civil War. From 1880 to 1886, Bethlehem member Nannie Bland David served as a missionary to Nigeria. Her dying words, "Never give up Africa," inspired later missionaries. After relocating once in the 19th century, Bethlehem Baptist moved here in 1897 when its new sanctuary was completed.

Erected 2016 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number O-27.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.

Location. 37° 30.143′ N, 77° 34.453′ W. Marker is in North Chesterfield, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. It is on

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Midlothian Turnpike (U.S. 60) 0.2 miles west of Tuxford Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9700 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond VA 23235, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Railroad in Virginia (approx. 0.9 miles away); Providence United Methodist Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); Black Heath (approx. 2.2 miles away); Huguenot Settlement (approx. 2.3 miles away); Trabue's Tavern (approx. 2.7 miles away); Lt. Gen. Ambrose Powell Hill, CSA

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 3, 2021

2. Bethlehem Baptist Church Marker

(approx. 3.4 miles away); Mid-Lothian Mines and Rail Roads (approx. 3.8 miles away); The Bermuda Hundred Campaign (approx. 3.8 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Bethlehem Baptist Church (has been replaced with this marker); Bellona Arsenal (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Chesterfield Railroad (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 674 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.