First Baptist Church on Main Street celebrates 163 years

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - First Baptist Church on Main Street is celebrating 163 years. The church was the city’s first Black church, and for many people, it is home.

Founded by formerly enslaved people

First Baptist Church was started by formerly enslaved people during the Civil War. Patricia Edwards said that history is why the day matters.

“We are remembering these people who came out of slavery, they were freed men, they were formerly enslaved people... and started their own congregation. I mean, when you think of the times that this happened in, you just have to be amazed,” Edwards said.

Edwards’ late neighbor, Rebecca McGinnis, lived to 107. McGinnis was the granddaughter of two founders.

Edwards said members built the sanctuary debt-free, finishing in 1884.

“After working all day, they would come back by lamplight. No electric lights. Come back and work on this building by lamplight. And the ladies would bring them food at night. It was a congregation determined and ready to meet the future and to prepare for their children and their descendants,” Edwards said.

A corner of the community

The church has stayed through 163 years of change. Deacon Don Gathers said it isn’t going anywhere.

“Folks can still see us as this place on the corner of Main Street,” Gathers said.

The corner is a community crossroads. The Rev. Dr. Arthurs Long Jr., senior pastor, said the church is a hub for the area.

“We’re a transformational kind of hub, because you’ve got the train station, you’ve got UVA, and you’ve got these elementary schools in the area, with the church actually being on this corner. If our doors were to shut, I believe this community would really feel it,” Long said.

Isiah Williams, a youth church member, has worshipped at the church since he was a child. For him, the church has always been home.

“Everyone here has always treated me like a little nephew, or like a son. I’m part of something so much bigger. Like there was people that were struggling and came here to worship God. They get through really hard times, and I’m coming here all these like years later, and I get to sit here and carry that on,” Williams said.

Gathers said the service is about the church’s place in the community.

“It’s a recognition and a continuance of what we mean to the community, the community of Charlottesville and community of faith as a whole,” Gathers said.

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