Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Loyal Baptist Church
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013
1. Loyal Baptist Church Marker
Erected 1992 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q 5C.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 36° 35.158′ N, 79° 23.45′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on Loyal Street south of Lynn Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Prison Number 6 (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Prison No. 6 (within shouting distance of this marker); Bloody Monday (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Harry Wooding (about 400 feet away); Danville System (about 500 feet
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Lady Astor Rose (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013
2. Loyal Baptist Church Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 19, 2024
3. Loyal Baptist Church
Current church building for Loyal Baptist Church
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 19, 2024
4. Loyal Baptist Church
Loyal Baptist Church is now located on Holbrook Street in the Holbrook-Ross Historic District
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 4, 2024
5. Rev. Doyle J. Thomas
Loyal Baptist Church has had an important impact on Danville, including through its longtime pastor, Doyle J. Thomas. Thomas served as pastor of Loyal Baptist Church for 48 years, from 1946 until his death in 1994. During his tenure he also served as local
NAACP president for 26 years and as a member of City Council for 8 years, from 1986 to 1994.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 9, 2024
6. Doyle J. Thomas Park upgrades
During his tenure on City Council, Doyle J. Thomas was a staunch opponent of various proposals to close Green Street Park, located only a few blocks from Loyal Street. Due to his success in saving the park, the City renamed the park after Thomas. Private donations from Loyal Baptist church members in 2000 helped fund later park upgrades, such as this bench donated by then-Mayor Ruby Batts Archie.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 9, 2024
7. Doyle J. Thomas Park upgrades
The donations from Loyal Baptist Church members paid for several improvements to Doyle J. Thomas Park, including a monument to Rev. Thomas as well as this bench, dedicated to longtime Loyal Baptist Church deacon, Chester Stamps, a decorated World War 2 veteran.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 24, 2025
8. Doyle J. Thomas Park upgrades
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 24, 2025
9. Doyle J. Thomas Park upgrades
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,714 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on December 14, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 22, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 8, 9. submitted on January 24, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.
