Farmville in Prince Edward County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
First Baptist Church
Farmville, Virginia
— Prince Edward County —
The First Baptist Church was organized in 1866 as an outgrowth of the predominantly white Farmville Baptist Church. In 1949, following the death of the Rev. C. H. Griffin, the Church voted unanimously to call his son, L. Francis Griffin, as pastor. First Baptist Church did not know the young Rev. Griffin had already received a call to pastor a large, northern church with a very promising future, but it did not take long for the young preacher to decide that his home church needed his services much more than the other.
In April of 1951, when 456 students of Robert R. Moton High School conducted a walk-out to protest the deplorable conditions of their segregated school, the Farmville community was plunged into a social revolution. The First Baptist Church, under Rev. L. Francis Griffin, accepted the challenge of supporting the student rebellion. The church membership generally supported its pastor, although there were dissenters. The church facilities were made available to the students to hold meetings, meet with the faculty members, NAACP lawyers, parents and others representing their cause. It was in First Baptist Church that parents, students and NAACP attorneys decided to sue for integrated schools in Prince Edward County.
Despite the 1954 Supreme Court’s ruling, Brown V. Topeka Board of Education, outlawing segregation in public education, the fight in Farmville was not over. Prince Edward County closed its public schools in 1959 to avoid integration.
First Baptist Church continued to provide support to the students and the community in the Civil Rights struggle. The church was visited by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other nationally known Civil Rights leaders. Students, locked out of public schools, were able to attend classes in the church.
Rev. Griffin’s involvement in Civil Rights was done at great personal sacrifice. The white business community targeted him for reprisals. Credit was cut off along with other economic sanctions.
First Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev L. Francis Griffin, made a great contribution to Civil Rights in education by supporting the students and the community to bring about equal access to public education to all students.
Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail®. (Marker Number 26.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1951.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 18.044′ N, 78° 23.593′ W. Marker was in Farmville, Virginia, in Prince Edward County. Marker was at the intersection of South Main Street (U.S. 15) and 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 100 South Main Street, Farmville VA 23901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named First Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); Main Street / Mayor J. David Crute / EACO Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Beulah AME Church (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War I Memorial (about 400 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); The Light of Reconciliation / Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farmville.
More about this marker. On the left are two photos with the captions:
"(Above) Rev. L.F. Griffin watches children at the training center located in the basement of the First Baptist Church."
"(Left) Martin Luther King, Jr. visited First Baptist Church in support of the community’s effort in civil rights in education."
On the right is a photo of "(Above Right) First Baptist Church as it stands today."
Photo of Rev. Griffin copyright Richmond Times Dispatch - used by permission.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,373 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 30, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.