Montpelier in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Reuben Ford and Hopeful Baptist Church

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 6, 2012

1. Reuben Ford and Hopeful Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Hopeful Meeting House began services under the ministry of Baptist pastor Reuben Ford in 1807. Ford played an important role in the post-Revolutionary struggle for religious freedom. In the 1780s, he lobbied the Virginia General Assembly on behalf of Virginia's Baptists, opposing the incorporation of the Episcopal Church and state support for “teachers of the Christian Religion.” Ford though his leadership resolved doctrinal controversies and promoted Baptist churches as patriotic alternatives to the Episcopal Church. In July 1843, John Hope deeded five acres of land for the present sanctuary, dedicated on 21 May 1845. Enslaved African Americans made the bricks from nearby clay.

Erected 2007 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number EA-7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1845.

Location. 37° 48.167′ N, 77° 45.79′ W. Marker is in Montpelier, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker is at the intersection of Taylors Creek Road (Virginia Route 610) and Hopeful Church Road (Virginia Route 664), on the right when traveling west on Taylors

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Creek Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14340 Hopeful Church Road, Montpelier VA 23192, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sycamore Tavern (approx. 4.4 miles away); Virginia's Center of Population (approx. 6.6 miles away); Shady Grove (Rosenwald) School (approx. 6.9 miles away); Cedar Creek Quaker Meeting House (approx. 7½ miles away); Reuben Ford (approx. 7.6 miles away); Providence Church (approx. 7.9 miles away); Beaverdam Episcopal Church (approx. 9.1 miles away); Scotchtown (approx. 9.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montpelier.

Also see . . . Hopeful Baptist Church. (Submitted on April 7, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Hopeful Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 6, 2012

2. Hopeful Baptist Church

Hopeful Baptist Church Veterans image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 6, 2012

3. Hopeful Baptist Church Veterans

Hopeful Baptist Church Veterans WWII image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 6, 2012

4. Hopeful Baptist Church Veterans WWII

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 6, 2012

5. Hopeful Baptist Church

Organized 1807 Sanctuary built 1844

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 828 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 7, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.