Seminary Hill in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Oakland Baptist Church

City of Alexandria Est. 1749

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 13, 2014

1. The Oakland Baptist Church Marker

Inscription.

The Oakland Baptist Church. City of Alexandria Est. 1749. , Several residents of "The Fort" community were founders of the Oakland Baptist Church, which is located at the intersection of King Street and Braddock Road. The congregation started worshiping in a bush arbor as Oak Hill Baptist Mission in 1888 and moved to 3408 King Street in 1893. Despite the hardships associated with the community's relocation and the development of Fort Ward into a historical park, the Oakland Baptist Church and Cemetery survive and stand as symbols of the self-sufficiency, integrity, and longevity of this distinctive African American community., Oakland Baptist Church Founders , Clara Shorts Adams . William Carpenter . John Wesley Casey . Maggie Hall . Brooks Johnson . Mollie Nelson . Nancy Shepherd . Harriet McKnight Shorts . Daniel Simms Sr. . James William Terrell . Smith Wanzer . Matilda Woods, The words of "Miss Lizabeth" make evident the church members' fervent sense of community, determination, and self-sufficiency:,

“They weren't what you call builders, but they helped to build the church. Rev. Barnes, he had been sick. And in 1939 he was getting back on his feet pretty good. And Rev. Moore, he was helping him to finish the church up there as well. And then the fellas from the Episcopal High School and Seminary, when they had a breakfast break or a lunch break, they would come down here and help.”, The Deacon Board set a strict moral and social code that guided the Oakland Baptist Church members' lives beyond the church walls. Deacon John Wesley Casey, a founder of the church and chairman of the Deacon Board, testified at the Fairfax County Circuit Court divorce case Bailey v. Bailey in 1909:, “… and we called her before the church board, as we have a board there to call up such things before them, and she said she was not going to stop … and he said he was not going to stop, and under these circumstances we expelled them from the church.”

Several residents of "The Fort" community were founders of the Oakland Baptist Church, which is located at the intersection of King Street and Braddock Road. The congregation started worshiping in a bush arbor as Oak Hill Baptist Mission in 1888 and moved to 3408 King Street in 1893. Despite the hardships associated with the community's relocation and the development of Fort Ward into a historical park, the Oakland Baptist Church and Cemetery survive and stand as symbols of the self-sufficiency, integrity, and longevity of this distinctive African American community.

Oakland Baptist Church Founders
Clara Shorts Adams • William Carpenter • John Wesley Casey • Maggie Hall • Brooks Johnson • Mollie Nelson • Nancy Shepherd • Harriet McKnight Shorts • Daniel Simms Sr. • James William Terrell • Smith Wanzer • Matilda Woods

The words of "Miss Lizabeth" make evident the church members' fervent sense of community, determination, and self-sufficiency:

“They weren't what you call builders, but they helped to build the church. Rev. Barnes, he had been sick. And in 1939 he was getting back on his feet pretty good. And Rev. Moore, he was helping him to finish the church up there as well. And then the fellas from the Episcopal High School and Seminary, when they
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had a breakfast break or a lunch break, they would come down here and help.”

The Deacon Board set a strict moral and social code that guided the Oakland Baptist Church members' lives beyond the church walls. Deacon John Wesley Casey, a founder of the church and chairman of the Deacon Board, testified at the Fairfax County Circuit Court divorce case Bailey v. Bailey in 1909:

“… and we called her before the church board, as we have a board there to call up such things before them, and she said she was not going to stop … and he said he was not going to stop, and under these circumstances we expelled them from the church.”

Erected by City of Alexandria.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, The City of Alexandria series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 38° 49.793′ N, 77° 6.078′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Seminary Hill. Marker can be reached from West Braddock Road, 0.1 miles west of Marlboro Drive, on the right when traveling west. Located in Fort Ward Park. Touch for map

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 10, 2020

2. The Oakland Baptist Church Marker

. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4301 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria VA 22304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Within Its Walls (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Ward (within shouting distance of this marker); Bombproof (within shouting distance of this marker); African Americans and the Civil War (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "The Fort" and "Seminary" Community (about 400 feet away); Entrance Gate to Fort Ward/Officers' Hut (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Ward (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Also see . . .
1. Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site. (Submitted on March 3, 2015.)
2. Alexandria Hertage Trail. (Submitted on March 3, 2015.)
3. Wikipedia - Fort Ward (Virginia). (Submitted on March 3, 2015.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 988 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 2, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 10, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.