Southwest Quadrant in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 22, 2018

1. Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. At the end of the 18th century, African Americans constituted half of the congregation at Alexandria's Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. With support from Trinity, black members founded a separate congregation early in the 1830s, and their sanctuary was completed here in 1834. The church, initially known as Davis Chapel, was renamed in 1845 for Bishop Robert Richford Roberts, a former pastor of Trinity. Members quickly established a Sunday school that offered general education and religious training. Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington lectured here late in the 19th century. The sanctuary was remodeled in the Gothic Revival style in 1894.

Erected 2016 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-140.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 38° 47.945′ N, 77° 2.883′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in the Southwest Quadrant. Marker is on South Washington Street (Virginia Route 400) south of Gibbon Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 606 South Washington Street, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Veterans' Memorial Walkway (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Washington School Compound (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alexandria Academy (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Alexandria Academy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alexandria Railroads (approx. 0.2 miles away); Orange & Alexandria Roundhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Beulah Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wilkes Street Tunnel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 22, 2018

2. Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church

Marker is immediately in front of the church.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 22, 2018

3. Cornerstone

Roberts Chapel
M.E. Church
Erected 1832

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 364 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 24, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.