Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The First Methodist Meeting House

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 27, 2009

1. The First Methodist Meeting House Marker

Inscription. The first Methodist Meeting House in Petersburg was a theatre on West Old Street near the river rented by Gressett Davis. Robert Williams, a follower of John Wesley, came to Petersburg to preach in 1773 at the invitation of Davis and Nathaniel Young, local businessmen. From this humble beginning, Methodism became firmly established in Petersburg and spread throughout the surrounding countryside. Petersburg served as Williams' headquarters and later was made part of the Brunswick circuit.

Erected 1984 by Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number QA-18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1773.

Location. 37° 13.851′ N, 77° 24.984′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Fleet Street and Grove Avenue (Virginia Route 36), on the right when traveling north on Fleet Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, 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 of this marker: Campbell's Bridge (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Appomattox River Heritage Trail

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(about 500 feet away); Silk Mill (about 800 feet away); Shaping Of The Town (about 800 feet away); Railroad Crossing Over The Appomattox River (about 800 feet away); Simms Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Local Workforce At The Mills (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Beginning of Ettrick (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Fleet St, Canal St, and Grove Ave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 27, 2009

2. Fleet St, Canal St, and Grove Ave

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,018 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 30, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.