![[logo]](https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/wm.jpg)
Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections
Veronica Parker
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from The First Baptist Church.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Conditions Governing Access
Viewing Series V is restricted to members of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg.
Preferred Citation
First Baptist Church Collection, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
On extended loan from the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg.
Biographical / Historical
The history of the First Baptist Church (FBC) can be traced to 1776 when a group of free and enslaved Black people began publicly worshiping after the constraints of British Anglicanism was lifted in Virginia. The First Baptist Church claims to be the oldest continuously operating black congregation in the United States, as it was practicing prior to applying for admittance to the Dover Baptist Association in 1791.
Worshippers first met under a brush arbor built near Green Spring, a plantation west of Williamsburg. A white landowner named Robert F. Coles offered the congregation space in his carriage house on Nassau Street around 1776. This is where the congregation was located when they became a part of the Dover Baptist Association as the African Baptist Church. Membership to the Association lapsed and resumed several times between 1776 and 1828. 1828 saw the remodeling of the carriage house to accommodate a growing congregation. After several rebellions against slavery across the country, including one led by Nat Turner in Southampton, Virginia, the Virginia House of Delegates passed an act on March 15, 1832 that required white pastors to lead Black religious organizations. As a result, the membership rolls decreased by nearly half. On Friday, April 14, 1834, a tornado destroyed the remodeled 1828 church building. The congregation moved to worship at the white Zion Baptist Church. In May 1856, the new African Baptist Church on Nassau street was dedicated.
During the Civil War, the church building was used as a hospital for Confederate soldiers until the Union army took the city. Soon after in 1863, the congregation regained control of the building and changed the name to The First Baptist Church of Williamsburg. The Philadelphia Friends Freedman's Association established a school in the church that same year, which flourished until the establishment of free public schools in 1870. After the Civil War, the requirement for a white pastor was removed and the congregation was able to choose their own leadership.
1871 saw an additional expansion of the church ground by thirty-five feet of land to the south side. In 1886, the church's womens' auxiliary committee raised funds to add a fence, a belfry and bell, a woodhouse, and in 1887, another twenty feet of land was purchased. A building committee was formed, and the structure was renovated with the side galleries removed in 1893. A fire damaged the building in 1930, but was repaired within a year. An annex was planned to be built in 1953, however, that same year Colonial Williamsburg offered $130,000 as well as a larger plot of land on Scotland street to purchase the church building on Nassau street. In August 18, 1954, the church trustees agreed to the deal. Attorney Lewis Armistead oversaw the legal proceedings while Bernard B. Spiegel was hired as the architect of the new church on Scotland Street. The church was completed in late 1956. Colonial Williamsburg demolished the Nassau street building in 1956 and constructed a parking lot.
In the spring of 1984, the coordinator of James City County's 350th Anniversary, Mrs. Robinette Fitzsimmons, requested that church members allow visitors to tour the church, view artifacts, and listen to history lessons. That request led to the creation of the Church Historian Position, and Miss. Marie Sheppard was appointed. Sheppard agreed to Colonial Williamsburg's request with the stipulation that a history book be jointly created and requested that Colonial Williamsburg restore the Nassau street church. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation agreed, but on the condition that the 1818 version be restored instead of the 1856 church building that was demolished. The Lilly Foundation provided a grant of $74,000 for an exhibition on the history of First Baptist Church, and it opened to the public in 2003. In 2020, Colonial Williamsburg began archaeological excavations of the original church site, and in 2021 discovered evidence of human remains. Currently, the church burial grounds are undergoing further research.
Content Description
This collection is formed of materials created by the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, dating from the mid-1800s to the present day. Inculded in this collection are church records such as member rolls, meeting minutes, photographs, bibles, building blueprints, and audio visual materials.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into five series. Series I, Administrative Papers; which holds documents related to the oganization and operation of the church such as meeting minutes, notes, member registers, ledgers, and bylaws. Series II, Photographs; contains images of, and pertaining to, the First Baptist Church. Series III, Bibles and Hymnals; Bibles and Hymnals either held by the church itself, or by church members. Series IV, Audiovisual Materials; CDs, audio recordings, and oral histories. And Series V, Blueprints; blueprints of the 1956 church building, as well as other documents pertaining to the construction process.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- African Americans--Religion
- African Americans--Virginia--Williamsburg--History
- Baptist Church--Virginia--History
- Religion and culture
- United States -- Religion -- 19th century
- Williamsburg (Va.)--History--19th century
- Williamsburg (Va.)--History--20th century
- Williamsburg (Va.)--Social life and customs
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- United States -- Religion -- 19th century
- Williamsburg (Va.)--History--19th century
- Williamsburg (Va.)--History--20th century
- Williamsburg (Va.)--Social life and customs
Container List
This series contains meeting minute books, church records, and committee information related to the operation of the First Baptist Church.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 cuid369
First Baptist Sunday School Record Book1974 - 1975Scope and Contents
A Sunday School record book from 1974-1975. Contains collection reports, attendance records, and meeting notes. The cover is red and black patterned with gold lettering, and has two green with white lettering stickers spelling out "First Baptist Sunday School."
- Mixed Materials box: 1 cuid370
First Baptist Church Sunday School Record Book1975 - 1976Scope and Contents
A Sunday School record book from 1975-1976. Contains collection reports, attendance records, and meeting notes. The cover is light brown, and has gold lettering with the word "Record" enscribed on the top right.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 cuid371
Check Register1942 - 1946Scope and Contents
A check register with papers from 1942-1946. Contains dated financial information along with a group of un-folded brochures from the Church's 205th Anniversary. The register is a brown binder whose cover is separating from the spine. The cover is embossed with the Peninsula Bank and Trust Co. logo.
Conditions Governing UseDue to the fragility of this item, it is recommended that a staff member assist any researchers when viewing.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 cuid372
Minute Book1979 - 1986Scope and Contents
A minute book with typed entries from 1979-1986. Contains meeting notes from several church committees, as well as budget numbers. Bound in burgundy pleather with "National" stamped on the spine. The spine contains a yellow note taped to it with the entry date range.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 cuid373
Minute Book1951 - 1974Scope and Contents
A minute book with handwritten entries from 1951-1974. Contains meeting notes and budget calculations. The binding is missing a spine, the cover is black with red corners. Inside the book, the first page from the manufacturer reads "Account Book, No. S64."
- Mixed Materials box: 4 cuid374
Church Record Book1926 - 1969Scope and Contents
A record book spanning from 1926 to 1969. This book has various loose objects sandwiched between the pages, including grocery lists, receipts, and dated notes. The contents of the book's pages feature member information, baptism and death dates. These records are followed by church meeting notes, which include information on the collection numbers, membership, leadership decisions, and the actions of various committees.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 cuid375
Church Record Book1865 - 1871Scope and Contents
A record book that spans from 1865 to 1871. The book features member information, including baptism and death dates. These records are followed by church meeting notes, which include information on the collection numbers, membership, leadership decisions, and the actions of various committees.
- Mixed Materials box: 5 cuid325
First Baptist Church Meeting Minutes1 Linear Feet1887 August 1 - 1895 MarchScope and Contents
Meeting minutes book housed in a tan hard case, spine reads "First Baptist Church Meeting Minutes August 1, 1887 - March 1895+," includes a loose letter and a conservation note.
- Mixed Materials box: 5 cuid324
First Baptist Church Minutes Book 41 Linear Feet 11 1/2 inch x 17 1/2 inch flat box.1897 - 1922Scope and Contents
A church minute book bound in red, the spine reads "First Baptist Church Minutes Book 4, 1897-1922."
- Mixed Materials box: 6 cuid326
First Baptist Church Minute Book1 Linear Feet1891 - 1950Scope and Contents
A church minute book bound in brown leather, spine reads "First Baptist Church 1891-1950," a yellow note accompanies the book and reads "Church Minutes 1879 (1893) 1950."
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 1 cuid331
Financial Reports0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.1888 - 1921Scope and Contents
Church financial notes and records.
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 2 cuid332
Church Program and Power Bill0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.1926 March 17
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 3 cuid333
Clippings and External Publications0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.Scope and Contents
Two newspaper clippings and a brochure titled "First Africans: Angela."
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 4 cuid334
22nd Annual Hampton Institute Ministers' Conference Minutes0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.1935 June 24-28Scope and Contents
Typed meeting minutes.
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 5 cuid335
Pocket LedgerScope and Contents
A 3 inch by 2 inch sized booklet with ledger notations inside.
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 6 cuid336
226th Church Anniversary0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.2002 October 20Scope and Contents
A stapled packet of church information created to celebrate the 226th first baptist church anniversary.
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 7 cuid337
Constitution and Bylaws0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.1976Scope and Contents
Document entitled, "constitution and Bylaws for a baptist church." It contains handwritten corrections.
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 8 cuid338
First Baptist Church History Book Information0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.1994 - 2007
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 9 cuid339
Church Trustee and Nominating Committee0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.1982Scope and Contents
Nomination charts, agendas, trustee responibilites, and evaulation forms.
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 10 cuid340
Lilly Endowment Proposal0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.2000 March
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 13 cuid350
Conservation Packing List0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.2012 August 8Scope and Contents
A dark yellow/gold packing list from Etherington Conservation Services for the convervation work done on "Minute Book #3."
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 15 cuid367
Trustee Communications0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.1954 - 1974Scope and Contents
A group of letters and other correspondence that was held in the front binder pocket of the 1954 - 1991 Trustee Book.
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 16 cuid368
Department of Historic Resources Documents0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.2017 - 2020Scope and Contents
Documents pertaining to the First Baptist Church that were orginally held in the front pocket of the Department of Historic Resources Historical Marker Application Binder. Also contains sign mock-ups and blueprints of the church building.
- Mixed Materials box: 8 cuid342
Member Register1927 - 1938Scope and Contents
Member Register book, reads "Church Records #9,1927" on spine, bound in red cloth fraying at the edges, actual dates 1927-1938.
- Mixed Materials box: 8 cuid343
Minutes of the Deacon and FBC Minutes0.2 Linear Feet1875 - 1880Scope and Contents
Church member records. The red, marble-bound book is labeled "FBC Minutes 1875 Deacon /minutes September 1885," actual dates are 1875-1912.
- Mixed Materials box: 8 cuid344
Minutes of the Deacons0.2 Linear Feet1884 - 1893Scope and Contents
A Minutes of the Deacons book, 1884-1893, in a tan hard case, book bound in red wavy marble pattern with red leather spine.
- Mixed Materials box: 9 cuid349
Deacon Committee Meeting Book1866 -1872Scope and Contents
A deacon's committee meeting minutes book in a dark brown hard case, book itself is bound with a green tinted wavy marble pattern cover, spine reads "Church Minute Book 7," dates 1866-1872.
- Mixed Materials box: 10 cuid327
Department of Historic Resources Historical Marker Application Binder0.7 Linear Feet2013 April 10 - 2020 January 20Scope and Contents
A binder and 78 photographs of the First Baptist Church.
The binder contains scans of the 1956 church blueprints which are restricted. There is also a property record card, which contains land valuation assessments, items are restricted.
The binder also includes a mock-up for signs from Scotty Signs, bill of sale, a timeline of the application for the Virginia Landmarks Register, an application for the National Register of Historic Places, a copy of the application form for the landmark recognition, article clippings, Department of Historic Resources agenda, nomination for consideration to the national and state registries,and an architecture evaluation.
Conditions Governing UseThis item is restricted to members of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg.
- Mixed Materials box: 11 cuid328
Trustee Book0.5 Linear Feet1954 April 261987 - 1991Scope and Contents
A binder containing meeting minutes and trustee documents.
- Mixed Materials box: 12 cuid330
Diaconate Records1 Linear Feet1994 January 10 - 2012 November 6Scope and Contents
A record book with a blue cover that contains diaconate records and meeting notes.
Five photograph albums and one binder from the Department of Historic Resources in Virginia.
- Mixed Materials box: 13 cuid383
Photograph Album I1 Linear Feet One binder box.1947 - 1987
- Mixed Materials box: 14 cuid384
Photograph Album II, Part 11 Linear Feet One binder box.1980 - 1982
- Mixed Materials box: 17 cuid387
Photograph Album II, Part 21 Linear Feet One binder box.1983 - 1984
- Mixed Materials box: 15 cuid386
Photograph Album III1 Linear Feet One binder box.1985 - 1986
- Mixed Materials box: 16 cuid385
Photograph Album IV1 Linear Feet One binder box.1998
- Mixed Materials box: 18 cuid388
Photograph Album V1 Linear Feet One binder box.1956 - 2005
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 17 cuid389
Photograph Album V oversized material0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.1956 - 2005
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 11 cuid341
Photographs0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.1957Scope and Contents
Undated photographs and one dated choir photograph with identifcation list from 1957. This folder also houses a two page exhibition banner chart.
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 14 cuid378
First Baptist Church Photographs0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.2013 - 2015Scope and Contents
Photos of First Baptist Church originally housed in the Department of Historic Resources binder. Predominantly photographs showcasing the Scotland St. building.
There are three bibles in the collection. One physical object and two digital scans. There are also scans of one hymnal book.
- cuid381
Bible1844Scope and Contents
Original is a 5"x3 1/4" inch bible from 1844 with handwritten notes
- Mixed Materials box: 2 cuid376
Bible1852Scope and Contents
The bible was published in 1852 by E.T. Day, and contains a foreword. The family record section has handwritten notes, the last name "Dunlop" appears several times.
-
Cary family bibleCirca 1892Scope and Contents
Cary Family Bible is a scanned copy of the covers and pages with family records and genealogy. The Bible was passed down to Alvene Patterson Conyers.
- cuid382
King's Message hymnalScope and Contents
King's Message hymnal book containing church programs and patron names from around 1978-1981
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 1 cuid377
Loose Bible pages0.1 Linear Feet1872 - 1880Scope and Contents
Seven pages found tucked within the 1852 Bible. Two of the loose pages are titled "Family Record", and have handwritten notes under the headings of "Marriages," "Births," and "Deaths." The other five loose pages are from Matthew, chapter ten through eighteen.
Oral history recordings, and three CDs.
- Mixed Materials [1002289348] Videocassette Tape: 1002289348 cuid364
1st Baptist Church History Project 1st group session circa 1988 June 8, and segment with Ron Shields
- Mixed Materials [1002289346] Videocassette Tape: 1002289346 cuid362
1st Baptist Church History Project Deacon White 6-15-88 2nd Group Session 1. Ms. Brown 2. Ms. Anderson 3. Mrs. Grot 4. Mrs. Hare 5. Mrs (illegible)
- Mixed Materials [1002289336] DVD: 1002289336 cuid352
Annual Combined Church Choir: Altar Guild. 9/27/921992 September 27
- Mixed Materials Reel: 1 cuid365
City of Williamsburg Reel 1 Church Records, First Baptist Church Vol. 1, Baptismal Membership & Deaths, 1865-1883 Minutes of the Congregational Meetings April 1, 1872- Feb. 2, 1873 Microfilm
- Mixed Materials Reel: 2 cuid366
City of Williamsburg Reel 2 Church Records, First Baptist Church Vol. 4, Minutes of the Congregational Meetings, Dec. 2, 1896 - July 24, 1922 Vol. 5, Minutes of the Deacons & Committee Meetings Book, 6/9/1884 - 9/18/1893 Vol. 6, Deacons & Pastors Meetings Minutes, Sept. 18, 1885 - Feb. 11, 1912 Microfilm
- Mixed Materials [1002289347] Videocassette Tape: 1002289347 cuid363
Composit Church History 1. Rev. Moody 2. Group at Grace Smith Rev Shields - Dea Edgar White
- Mixed Materials [1002289342] DVD: 1002289342 cuid358
FBC Maps Bld P.C. Marked 11-10-18
- Mixed Materials [1002289335] CD-ROM: 1002289335 cuid351
First Baptist Church Oral History B. Gerst (1), Ruth Patterson (2), Alice Patterson (3)
- cuid380
First Baptist Church history project, 3rd group session1988 July 11Scope and Contents
Deacon James Baker and Marie Shepard's walking interview, July 11, 1988, followed by the third group history project interview at Ms. Julia Boyce's.
- Mixed Materials [1002289344] DVD: 1002289344 cuid360
First Bp Church for Historic Resources 7-19-15 For DHR B. Davis
- Mixed Materials [1002289339] CD-ROM: 1002289339 cuid355
Former Minister from Old Church etc
- Mixed Materials [1002289340] DVD: 1002289340 cuid356
For DHR Old 1st Bp photo's 2015
- Mixed Materials [1002289341] CD-ROM: 1002289341 cuid357
For DHR - Packet Scan - First Baptist OLD
- Mixed Materials [1002289343] DVD: 1002289343 cuid359
First Baptist Church National Register nomination materials from: College of William & Mary Center for Archaeological Research March 2017
- cuid329
Historical Marker Application DVD-Rs2015 - 2017Scope and Contents
6 DVD-Rs. One is titled "FBC Maps," 4 are labeled "for DHR" likely referring to the Department of Historic Resources, and another labeled "National Register Nomination Materials." The DVD labeled "National Register..." is from the College of William & Mary Center for Archeological Research.
Conditions Governing AccessItem are restricted.
- Mixed Materials [1002289345] CD-ROM: 1002289345 cuid361
Map Scans 8-15 DHR
- Mixed Materials [1002289338] CD-ROM: 1002289338 cuid354
Tommy Bogger "History"
- Mixed Materials [1002289337] CD-ROM: 1002289337 cuid353
Tommy L. Bagger "History" First Baptist Church Williamsburg VA 8-19-15
- Mixed Materials [1002289404] Videocassette Tape: 1002289404 cuid390
First Baptist Church History Project 1) Deacon James Baker's interview with Deacon White 2) 2nd Group Session and Mrs. Fannie Epps' Mrs. Gerst, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Eliza Ham, Mr. & Mrs. Cumber, Mrs. Earlee Brown, Ms. Marie Sheapard1988 July 12
- Mixed Materials [1002289405] Videocassette Tape: 1002289405 cuid391
First Baptist Church History Project 1) 1st Group Session (Mrs. Grace Smith, Mrs. Lydia Garon, Mrs. Olivia Crump, Mrs. Catherine Crump, Mrs. Julia Boyce, Mrs. Mary McGriff, Mrs. Marie Sheapard 2) Rev Shields1988 June 8
- Mixed Materials [1002289406] Videocassette Tape: 1002289406 cuid392
First Baptist Church History Project 1) Deacon James Baker: Mrs. Marie Sheapard (walking interviewing at the site of the old church) 2) 3rd Group Session at Mrs. Julia Boyce's (Mrs. Alice Smith, Mrs. Ruth Patterson Mrs. Edmonia Lewis, Mrs. Mary McGriff, Mrs. Doris Epps, Mrs. Marie Sheapard as moderator1988 July 11
A series of architectural drawings and specifications sheets from construction performed for the First Baptist Church in 1956. They are labeled out of a series of 19. These blueprints contain specification (spec) sheets, that provide descritions of building terms, contract expectations, and materials that will be used during construction. There is also a spiral bound booklet of plans for a "Museum Addition and Renovation Proposal" dated June 18th, 2001.
The blueprints are restricted.
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 11 cuid345
Contract for Construction of Building0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.1954 October 14thScope and Contents
A contract for the construction of the First Baptist Church to be located at Scotland Street. Fragile.
- Mixed Materials MS 00341 Oversized Folder 1 cuid347
Blueprints and Specification Sheets1954Scope and Contents
A series of architectural drawings and specifications sheets from construction preformed for the First Baptist Church in 1956. Seven of the blueprints are large 2 x 3 feet renderings. They are labeled out of a series of 19, this group includes pages 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 16, and 19. With these blueprints are 6 specification (spec) sheets. The specification sheets provide information for building terms, contract expectations, and materials that will be used during construction.
- Mixed Materials MS 00341 Oversized folder 2 cuid346
Blueprints2 Linear Feet1954Scope and Contents
This is the second half of the set of blueprints from 1954. The pages are numbered from 1 to 19, and this group contains numbers 10, 8, 11, 13, 18, 5, 12, 4, 14, 17, 15.
- Mixed Materials box: 7 Folder: 12 cuid348
Index to Specifications for Building0.1 Linear Feet One legal sized folder.1954Scope and Contents
A 42 page index describing materials and work terms for the construction of the First Baptist Church on Scotland Street in 1954. Restricted.
- Mixed Materials MS 00341 Oversized folder 2 cuid379
Museum Addition and Renovation proposal2001 June 18