Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Bethlehem Baptist Church
December 27, 2016
1. Bethlehem Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
Bethlehem Baptist Church. . According to tradition, the earliest congregation, which would become the Bethlehem Baptist Church, was organized circa 1863 by Samuel K. Taylor, a former slave, who preached in the homes of the African-American residents of Gum Springs. Shortly after the Civil War ended the first building was used as both a house of worship and school. The cornerstone was laid for a new church in April 1884. Third and fourth edifices were built respectively in 1930 and 1993. The church grew with the African-American community and continues to be an important center of religious activity in Gum Springs.
According to tradition, the earliest congregation, which would become the Bethlehem Baptist Church, was organized circa 1863 by Samuel K. Taylor, a former slave, who preached in the homes of the African-American residents of Gum Springs. Shortly after the Civil War ended the first building was used as both a house of worship and school. The cornerstone was laid for a new church in April 1884. Third and fourth edifices were built respectively in 1930 and 1993. The church grew with the African-American community and continues to be an important center of religious activity in Gum Springs.
Erected 2014 by The Fairfax County History Commission.
Location. 38° 44.639′ N, 77° 4.859′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker is on Fordson Road north of Sherwood Hall Lane (Virginia Route 626), on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in front of the Bethlehem Baptist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7836 Fordson Road, Alexandria VA 22306, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. Although the marker is dated 2013 it was installed in 2014.
Also see . . . History. Bethlehem Baptist Church website. (Submitted on January 1, 2017.)
December 27, 2016
2. Bethlehem Baptist Church Marker
December 27, 2016
3. Bethlehem Baptist Church
This brick structure next to the modern edifice was dedicated on the first Sunday in October 1930.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 17, 2019
4. Bethlehem Baptist Church Front Door
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 17, 2019
5. Cornerstone
Bethlehem Bapt.
Church
Organized 1865
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 17, 2019
6. Space is Uninhabitable
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 17, 2019
7. Bethlehem Baptist Church
Organized 1863 Erected 1865
Samuel K. Taylor, Founder and Pastor
Rebuilt April 1884 and July 1930
W.H. Triplett, Pastor
New Edifice Completed Jan. 1993
Anthony A. Parrish, Pastor
Plaque on 1993 Bethlehem Baptist Church Building.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, March 17, 2019
8. Bethlehem Baptist Church 1993 Building and Plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2017. This page has been viewed 1,112 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2017. 4, 5. submitted on March 18, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 21, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.