Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Church and School
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 13, 2012
1. Church and School Marker
The school and mission work are inseparably interwoven with each other.
Storer teacher - Kate J. Anthony
The Curtis Memorial Freewill Baptist Church served as a spiritual anchor in the lives of both the students and the teachers of Storer College. Life was sometimes difficult at Storer College, one of the first schools for African Americans in the segregated South. Students and teachers alike faced hostility from local white residents, but found solace in religion. In 1894 the Freewill Baptists built this church to accommodate the needs of this growing community.
[Captions:]
The best singers from the school provided music every Sunday for the church. Students were required to attend daily chapel services and two church services a week. Many remained lifelong members of the church.
Windows in the church are dedicated to some of the northern Freewill Baptist congregations that helped to support Storer College through their missionary programs.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion
this page online
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 19.475′ N, 77° 44.446′ W. Marker was in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker was at the intersection of Fillmore Street and Storer College Place, on the right when traveling east on Fillmore Street. Marker is on the grounds of the NPS Mather Training Center. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Storer College Veterans Memorial Gate (a few steps from this marker); Foundations of Freedom (a few steps from this marker); Virginia Lodge No. 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); A Land Divided (within shouting distance of this marker); The Niagara Movement (within shouting distance of this marker); The Black Americans (within shouting distance of this
Photographed By Unknown, undated
2. Photo on Church and School Marker
Also see . . .
1. Storer College. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park website entry (Submitted on December 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Curtis Memorial Freewill Baptist Church. Historic American Buildings Survey (Submitted on December 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By Unknown, undated
3. Windows on Church and School Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 13, 2012
4. Church and School Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 13, 2012
5. Curtis Memorial Freewill Baptist Church
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 503 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
