In a powerful act of historical reclamation, Williamsburg, Virginia, is witnessing the resurrection of one of America’s first Black churches. Established in 1776, the First Baptist Church holds a significant place in the nation’s story. Free and enslaved Black people built its first meeting house, a modest 500-square-foot structure crafted from recycled bricks [00:06]. This sacred space served as a beacon of faith and community for decades.
The church faced its share of trials. After a tornado devastated the original building, it was rebuilt in 1856 [00:13]. However, a century later, progress took an unexpected turn. The Colonial Williamsburg Museum acquired the property, choosing to demolish the historic church to make way for a parking lot. In its place, the museum funded a new church nearby [00:17].
But the story doesn’t end there. Five years ago, archaeologists unearthed the foundation of the original meeting house [00:25], sparking a renewed commitment to honor the past. On Juneteenth, a day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, the museum broke ground to reconstruct the church on its original site [00:33].
The rebuilt church will be a faithful recreation of the original, featuring shutters instead of glass windows and bricks laid on their sides, just as they were over two centuries ago [00:39]. The opening is anticipated next year, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary, and will form an integral part of the museum’s exhibits [00:46]. This reconstruction is more than just rebuilding a structure; it’s about restoring a piece of American history and celebrating the resilience of a community.
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