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

High Street Baptist Church

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2017

1. High Street Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. In 1865 emancipated African Americans withdrew from First Baptist Church, where they had worshiped from the balcony, and founded a congregation later known as High Street Baptist Church. Members erected their first sanctuary here in 1873. Fire destroyed that structure and Its replacement, constructed in 1878. The present Romanesque Revival church was built in 1901. High Street Baptist served as a base for organizers of the local civil rights movement and hosted the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. Pastor Lendell W. Chase was president of the Danville Christian Progressive Association, which coordinated nonviolent protests against segregation and discrimination.

Erected 2014 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-100.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • 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 1873.

Location. 36° 35.288′ N, 79° 23.783′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on

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High Street north of North Ridge Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 630 High St, Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically 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: The Hotel Danville (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Danville Elks Lodge #227 (about 700 feet away); Centennial Celebration of the Danville Tobacco Association (approx. 0.2 miles away); This Trough (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Opera House Alley" (approx. 0.2 miles away); First State Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); Danville's Streetcars

High Street Baptist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2017

2. High Street Baptist Church and Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); The Last Capital of the Confederacy (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Also see . . .
1. High Street Baptist Church: Our History. Church website entry (Submitted on January 24, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. After 150 years, High Street Baptist Church earns historical marker. 2015 article by Denice Thibodeau on GoDanRiver.com. Excerpt: “‘In 1963 the church opened its doors to the Danville Civil Rights movement and served as headquarters to accommodate most of the meetings, day and night,’ Dorothy Harris said.

“There was resistance, from Danville City Council, police and the courts, with council members attempting to condemn the church and police breaking down the doors to look for out-of-town visitors helping them organize the local protests and marches.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the church in 1963, just weeks before his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial.” (Submitted on June 17, 2017.)

High Street Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2017

3. High Street Baptist Church

1878 Cornerstone and Plaques detailing the history of the edifice image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 14, 2024

4. 1878 Cornerstone and Plaques detailing the history of the edifice

They read, “Erected 1873 • Burned 1978 • Rebuilt 1978 • Burned 1901 • Rebuilt 1901” and “Storm damage June 8, 1995 • Restoration completed November 22, 1996.”

High Street Baptist Church Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 14, 2024

5. High Street Baptist Church Dedication Plaque

Located near the front entrance. It reads, “Church landscaping dedicated to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Anne Harrison Clark, 1927-2010 by Harrison L. Clark.”

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 31, 2025

6. High Street Baptist Church

This display is part of the Ruby B. Archie Library's Black History Month exhibit.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, July 4, 2025

7. High Street Baptist Church

Illuminated stained glass window at the front of the church.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,074 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on December 7, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on December 5, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 5. submitted on January 22, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 6. submitted on February 22, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 7. submitted on April 29, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the interior and its stained glass windows • Can you help?