Darlington Heights in Prince Edward County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Vernon Johns
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 12, 2012
1. Vernon Johns Marker
Rev. Dr. Vernon Johns was born here in Darlington Heights on 22 April 1892. A graduate of Oberlin College, Johns was an orator of great renown and the first African-American minister included in Best Sermons of the Year (1926), an international publication. He was pastor of Court Street Baptist Church (1920-1926; 1941-1943) and president of Virginia Theological Seminary and College (1929-1934), both in Lynchburg. Later he was pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama (1948-1952). A blunt-spoken opponent of racial segregation and a champion of civil rights, Johns exhorted his congregations to resist the laws that constricted their lives. He died in Washington, D.C., on 10 June 1965, and is buried just north of here.Erected 1994 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number M-27.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 22, 1892.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Beneficial Benevolent Society of the Loving Sisters and Brothers of Hampden County (approx. 4˝ miles away); Presbyterian Seminary (approx. 4.6 miles away); Hampden-Sydney College (approx. 4.7 miles away); Civil War Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away); American Revolution Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away); Spanish-American War Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away); The Birthplace (approx. 4.7 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away).
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 12, 2012
2. Darlington Heights & Douglas Church Rds (facing west)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 715 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
