Near Heathsville in Northumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
First Baptist Church
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 4, 2021
1. First Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
First Baptist Church, the earliest African American Baptist congregation in Northumberland County, originated in 1866 when black members of Coan Baptist Church began holding worship services at the home of Alexander Day. They later worshiped at Howland Chapel School, built just northeast of here in 1867 with funding from New York-born educator, reformer, and philanthropist Emily Howland. Revivals were held under a nearby brush arbor. Led by the Rev. Daniel Payne, pastor for more than 30 years, the congregation erected its first sanctuary here in 1892. The present Gothic-Revival style sanctuary was completed in 1941 under the guidance of longtime pastor Rev. Henry C. Roane.
First Baptist Church, the earliest African American Baptist congregation in Northumberland County, originated in 1866 when black members of Coan Baptist Church began holding worship services at the home of Alexander Day. They later worshiped at Howland Chapel School, built just northeast of here in 1867 with funding from New York-born educator, reformer, and philanthropist Emily Howland. Revivals were held under a nearby brush arbor. Led by the Rev. Daniel Payne, pastor for more than 30 years, the congregation erected its first sanctuary here in 1892. The present Gothic-Revival style sanctuary was completed in 1941 under the guidance of longtime pastor Rev. Henry C. Roane.
Erected 2016 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number O-74.)
Location. 37° 52.238′ N, 76° 27.399′ W. Marker is near Heathsville, Virginia, in Northumberland County. Marker is on Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 201) just west of Knights Run Road (Virginia Route 642), on the
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left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3585 Courthouse Rd, Heathsville VA 22473, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 4, 2021
2. First Baptist Church Marker with the church visible in the background
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
