Java in Halifax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Samuel Harris
1724 - 1799
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, June 8, 2026
1. Samuel Harris Marker
Became a Baptist in 1758; Constituent member Dan River Baptist Church; First pastor of County Line Baptist Church; Active lay evangelist; Ordained, 1769; Organized churches throughout Virginia; First moderator of General Association of Virginia Baptists (1771 - 1780).
Early advocate separation of church and state
Erected 1971 by Pittsylvania Baptist Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures • War, French and Indian • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1771.
Location. 36° 49.99′ N, 79° 8.455′ W. Marker is in Java, Virginia, in Halifax County. It is on Chatham Road (Virginia Route 832) half a mile east of County Line Road, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located at County Line Baptist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13152 Chatham Road, Java VA 24565, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont, 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 6 other markers are within 18 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Meadville Community Center (approx. 5.7 miles away); John Weatherford's Grave
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Meadville Community Center (was approx. 5.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Hickey's Road (was approx. 8.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. The marker was placed in 1971 at County Line Baptist Church to commemorate its 200th anniversary. The church was one of several churches founded by Samuel Harris.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, June 8, 2026
2. Samuel Harris Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, June 8, 2026
3. Samuel Harris Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, June 8, 2026
4. Samuel Harris Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, June 8, 2026
5. Samuel Harris Marker
The Marker is in front of County Line Baptist Church, which was originally organized by Harris.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, June 8, 2026
6. County Line Baptist Church
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 19 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 8, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
