Farmville in Prince Edward County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Beulah AME Church
Farmville, Virginia
— Prince Edward County —
Beulah African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church was founded in 1868. Originally, it was known as The Colored Methodist Church of Farmville. The original wooden-framed building was destroyed, by fire in 1898. The cornerstone on the present building was laid in 1901.
A protest against segregated seating and restricted participation in worship at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Philadelphia was the spark that ultimately gave rise to the AME Church. Richard Allen, a Philadelphia-born slave, and 42 followers marched out of St. Johns in November 1796 to begin creating a church of their own. Richard Allen founded the AME Church in 1816 and became its first bishop.
Beulah AME Church has a long history of struggle for civil rights. Rev. J.W. Beckett, the church’s fourth pastor, led black students in demonstrations in the 1890s for the hiring of black teachers in the public schools. The demonstrations called attention to the fact that black teachers were graduating from other black schools and should be given the opportunity to teach their own people. As a result of these efforts, black teachers were hired in the county’s public school system. In 1896, also under Rev. Beckett’s tenure, the parsonage, which stands today alongside the church was built.
Rev. R.W. Barker, who pastored this parish for nine years, was instrumental in establishing the first NAACP Chapter in Prince Edward County, along with Rev. L. Francis Griffin, Pastor of First Baptist Church.
Rev. A. I. Dunlap and Rev. Goodwin Douglas, both of Beulah AME Church, worked diligently with the community from 1959 to 1964 when the county public schools were closed to avoid integration. During this period, Rev. Douglas was arrested for organizing and participating in youth demonstrations. Rev. Dunlap, who had been associated with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, GE, persuaded Bishop Frank Madison Reid to allow the African-American Robert R. Moton High School Class of 1960 to complete their senior year at KittrelI College in North Carolina, while the county’s schools were closed.
Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail®. (Marker Number 27.)
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 African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1796.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 18.064′ N, 78° 23.603′ 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 south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 115 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 Beulah AME Church (here, next to this marker); Main Street / Mayor J. David Crute / EACO Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); First Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War II Memorial (about 300 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away); Dr. William W. H. Thackston (about 400 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:
"(Top Left) The Beulah AME Church, c.1916."
"(Bottom Left) Rev. Goodwin Douglas, a pastor of the Beulah AME Church, marches in protest with students in 1963 during the period of the public schools closings in Prince Edward County."
On the right is a drawing with the caption, "(Above) Richard Allen founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1816 and became it first bishop."
Rev. Douglas photo 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.
Also see . . .
1. Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. Virginia's Retreat (Submitted on May 31, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. Farmville Beulah African Methodist Episcopal Church. (Submitted on May 31, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,656 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 31, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.