Near Fredericksburg in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church and Cemetery
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 17, 2021
1. Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church and Cemetery Marker
Inscription.
Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church and Cemetery. . This church originated in 1868 when 27 African Americans withdrew from nearby White Oak Church and selected the Rev. York Johnson, a former slave, as their pastor. Johnson founded the Union Branch of the True Vine, a mutual aid society, reportedly with the assistance of the Freedmen's Bureau. The church established a cemetery, enabling African Americans to exercise newfound autonomy over burial practices and funerals. Buried here are veterans of World Wars I and II and Korea. The church's sanctuary, built in 1870, was replaced in 1951. Here the Stafford County branch of the NAACP was founded, and community members met to plan strategies for the desegregation of local public schools.
This church originated in 1868 when 27 African Americans withdrew from nearby White Oak Church and selected the Rev. York Johnson, a former slave, as their pastor. Johnson founded the Union Branch of the True Vine, a mutual aid society, reportedly with the assistance of the Freedmen's Bureau. The church established a cemetery, enabling African Americans to exercise newfound autonomy over burial practices and funerals. Buried here are veterans of World Wars I and II and Korea. The church's sanctuary, built in 1870, was replaced in 1951. Here the Stafford County branch of the NAACP was founded, and community members met to plan strategies for the desegregation of local public schools.
Erected 2018 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number J-44.)
Location. 38° 17.621′ N, 77° 21.438′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Stafford County. Marker is on Chapel Green Road (County Road 602) 0.2 miles south of Perry Winkle Lane, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 135 Chapel Green Rd, Fredericksburg VA 22405, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 17, 2021
2. Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church and Cemetery Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
