Jackson Ward in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
John Jasper
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 6, 2009
1. John Jasper Marker
On Sunday, April 2, 1865, the day the Evacuation of Richmond began, John Jasper preached at the Armory Rolling Mills, next to Tredegar Iron Works.
In September, 1867, Rev. Jasper formed a church on Brown's Island "in a little, old wooden shanty" which had been a stable. After a year, the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church needed larger quarters and in 1869 moved to its present location on Duval Street in Jackson Ward.
"He is a man of great natural ability. The common and plain way and manner he preaches is only in keeping with the openness and candor of his heart... He is of lowly origin, in this he is not unlike thousands of others; owes his fame to no line of illustrious ancestors, but to his own honest exertions and character." -Statement of Deacons and Officers of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1884.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is April 2, 1893.
Location. 37° 33.022′ N, 77° 26.299′ W. Marker
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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 of this marker: Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Maggie Lena Walker (1864-1934) (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint Joseph Catholic Church (about 500 feet away); Bill Bojangles Robinson (about 700 feet away); Friends Asylum for Colored Orphans (about 700 feet away); Charles Sidney Gilpin (about 800 feet away); Maggie Lena Walker (approx. 0.2 miles away); Leigh Street Armory (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
More about this marker. On the left is a photograph of "John Jasper" (Photo by Cook, Courtesy of Valentine Museum)
On the right is a drawing of "A Jasper Baptism". The caption reads, "The day after the Free Bridge opened in 1873, Rev. Jasper led his congregation to Johnson's Island for a large baptism ceremony. Thousands crowded the Bridge and shore to watch." (Print from W.L. Sheppard drawing, Courtesy of Virginia Sate Library)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 6, 2009
2. Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 6, 2009
3. Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church Markers
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 6, 2009
4. Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 6, 2009
5. Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 6, 2009
6. Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church on Duval Street
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 28, 2025
7. Rev. John Jasper
Bust on display in the Richmond Hilton Hotel
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 28, 2025
8. Rev. John Jasper bust
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,440 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 6, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 7, 8. submitted on January 28, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.
