Manchester in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The African Church of Manchester

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 18, 2022

1. The African Church of Manchester Marker

Inscription. The African Church of Manchester, later known as First Baptist Church of South Richmond, originated ca. 1821 when a group of free African Americans began meeting for worship in a private home near here. The congregation acquired a meetinghouse just south ot here in 1823. Led by a white pastor, as required by Virginia law after 1832, they completed construction of their first sanctuary on this site in 1858. The Rev. Richard Wells was the church's first African American pastor after the Civil War. Under the leadership of Dr. Anthony Binga, pastor for nearly 50 years, the rapidly growing congregation dedicated a new church here in 1881 and relocated 15th and Decatur Streets in 1892.

Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-127.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 37° 31.555′ N, 77° 26.562′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Manchester. It is at the intersection of Perry Street and West 7th Street, on the right when traveling north on Perry Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 W 7th St, Richmond VA 23224, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

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 walking distance

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of this marker: Manchester Lodge No. 14 (approx. ¼ mile away); Colonel Thomas Stegge, Jr. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Manchester Canal (approx. 0.4 miles away); Diversity Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Transitions (approx. 0.4 miles away); Harnessing the River (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dorothy Height (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Other markers no longer nearby. Manchester Elliott Grays (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Transitions (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Our History. First Baptist Church of South Richmond (Submitted on July 18, 2022.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 18, 2022

2. The African Church of Manchester Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 701 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.