Beulah Baptist Church facts for kids
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Beulah Baptist Church (Alexandria, Virginia)
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Façade of Beulah Baptist Church in 2022
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 Location in Alexandria Historical District
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 320 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, Virginia |
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| Built | 1863 |
| Architectural style | mid-19th Century Revival |
| MPS | African American Historic Resources of Alexandria, Virginia MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 03001424 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 16, 2004 |
Beulah Baptist Church is a very old and important church in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. It's located at 320 S. Washington Street. This historic building is made of brick and has two stories. It features a special roof shape called a gable roof and a large, beautiful stained-glass window.
The church was built in 1863. It was placed between two neighborhoods where many Black families lived. In 2004, Beulah Baptist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a significant historical site.
Beulah was one of the first churches for Black people in Alexandria. It was started after Union soldiers arrived in the town in 1861 during the American Civil War. The church's first pastor, Reverend Clem Robinson, had already started a school in 1861. This school was for people who had escaped slavery and came to Alexandria seeking freedom. These people were sometimes called "contraband" during the war.
The next year, Reverend Robinson and Dye Carter chose the spot on South Washington Street for the new church. Mr. Carter then managed the building's construction. The school soon moved to the church location and kept teaching even after the war ended. Today, Beulah Baptist Church is still an active church community in Alexandria. They continue to worship in their historic building.
Contents
The Church's Story
How Beulah Baptist Church Began
Reverend Clem Robinson was born in Virginia. But he moved to Pennsylvania to get an education. He studied at Ashmun Institute, which is now Lincoln University. He also got a religious education there and started working as a teacher.
In Virginia, it was against the law to educate Black Americans, whether they were enslaved or free. It was also forbidden for educated Black people to enter the state. So, Reverend Robinson didn't feel safe returning to Virginia until May 1861. This was when Federal troops took control of Alexandria at the start of the Civil War. At that time, many people escaping slavery were coming to Alexandria.
Schools for Freedom Seekers
Reverend Robinson and his wife came to Alexandria with help from some Baptist groups. They worked with Reverend George Washington Parker and Miss Amanda Borden. Together, they started several schools for the people who had escaped slavery.
One of these schools was called "The First Select Colored School." In its first year, over 700 students attended! They also started a night school for adults. Another school, the "Normal and Theological Institute," was for those who already had some education. These schools were set up many months before the government's Freedman's Bureau started its own schools.
Educating Future Leaders
Reverend Robinson taught advanced students at the "Beulah Normal and Theological Institute." His goal was to train future teachers and preachers for the Black community. Classes were held at the church. In the first few years, over 80 students attended, both men and women. This school helped more than 30 missionaries and educators go out and serve their communities.
Robinson and Parker also helped other important people working for Black education in Alexandria. These included Harriet Jacobs and Julia Wilbur. Reverend Robinson's school stayed open until 1870. That's when Alexandria started its public school system.
A Place of Support
Besides education, Beulah Baptist Church offered a lot of support. It helped people who had just gained their freedom. The church provided shelter, helped them find work, and gave them clothing. This helped them adjust to their new lives.
Challenges During the War
As the Civil War continued, the church building was even used as a hospital. It cared for wounded people in Alexandria, which was a city on the front lines of the war.
Later, the federal government took control of all lands in the Confederate states, including Virginia. Because of this, Beulah Baptist Church's property and its new building were taken. They were given back to the person who owned the land before. But in 1877, Reverend Robinson and the church leaders were able to buy the property back for their church members.
Pastors of Beulah Baptist
Reverend Clem Robinson served as pastor for twelve years, until 1875. After him, twelve other men led the Beulah Baptist Church until 2017.
The pastor who served the longest was Reverend Dr. Columbus Watson. He led the church into the 21st century. He was at Beulah Baptist for 58 years, with 56 of those years as pastor! He retired on September 30, 2017. Today, Reverend Quardricos Bernard Driskell is the pastor of Beulah Baptist Church.
The Church Building
Design and Features
Beulah Baptist Church was built in 1863. It's a brick building with a front gable roof. It stands on South Washington Street, which is a main road in the city. There are several other important historic churches nearby.
The church has two stories. Its most special features are a large stained-glass window in the middle of the front. There are also two large brick panels that are set back into the wall. And at each front corner, there are two small, fancy brick decorations called pinnacles.
Changes Over Time
According to the church's history, an addition was built at the back of the church between 1920 and 1923. More improvements were made in the years that followed. The back of the church was rebuilt. The first electric lighting system was also installed.
A pipe organ, which was given to Beulah by Christ Church Episcopal (another church nearby), was installed. This organ is still in the church today!
Repairs and Rebuilding
In 1949, the north side wall of the church was damaged. While they were fixing it, the south wall also fell down! The church had to move out for repairs. Worship services were first held at the Elk's Home. Later, they moved to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Other church activities were held at the First Baptist Church and Third Baptist Church.
The church basement was finally reopened in September 1950. The main worship area, called the sanctuary, was finished in November 1950. A special "Rebuilding Stone" was laid to mark this event. You can still see these repairs today. The different colors of brick on the outside walls show where the new bricks were added.
See also
- Beulah Baptist Church
- Baptist Church One Hundred Thirtieth Anniversary (October 22, 1993).
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Alexandria, Virginia
