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 historic church located at 320 S. Washington Street in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. It is a two-story brick building with a special stained-glass window. The church was built in 1863. It was located between two African American neighborhoods called 'the Hill' and 'the Bottoms'. In 2004, Beulah Baptist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Beulah Baptist Church was the first of ten African American churches started in Alexandria. This happened after Union soldiers took control of the town in 1861 during the American Civil War. The church's first leader, Reverend Clem Robinson, started "The First Select Colored School" in 1861. This school was for people who had escaped slavery and came to Alexandria. These people were called "Contraband" during the war. In 1862, Reverend Robinson and Dye Carter chose the spot for the new church. Mr. Carter then helped build the church. The school soon moved to the church building and kept teaching after the war ended. Today, Beulah Baptist Church is still an active church community. They continue to worship in their historic building in Old Town Alexandria.
History of Beulah Baptist Church
Early Life of Reverend Clem Robinson
Reverend Clem Robinson was born in Brunswick County, Virginia. He later moved to Pennsylvania. There, he went to Ashmun Institute, which is now Lincoln University. He studied both college subjects and religion. After his studies, he began a career as a teacher.
Education for African Americans
In Virginia, it was against the law since the 1830s to educate African Americans. This applied to both enslaved and free people. It was also forbidden for educated African Americans to enter the state. When the Civil War began in May 1861, Union troops took over Alexandria. Reverend Robinson then felt it was safe to return to Virginia. At that time, many people who had escaped slavery were arriving in Alexandria.
Starting Schools for Freed People
With help from two Baptist groups, Reverend Robinson and his wife came to Alexandria. 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 this school. 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 federal government started its own schools through the Freedman's Bureau.
Beulah Normal and Theological Institute
In the early days, Reverend Robinson taught advanced students at the "Beulah Normal and Theological Institute." His goal was to train future teachers and preachers for the African American community. Classes were held at the church. In the first few years, more than 80 students attended, including both men and women. The school helped over 30 missionaries and educators begin their work. Reverend Robinson and Reverend Parker also supported other pioneers in African American education in Alexandria. These included Harriet Jacobs and Julia Wilbur. Reverend Robinson's school continued until 1870. That year, Alexandria opened its public school system.
Community Support During the Civil War
Besides its role in education, Beulah Baptist Church offered a lot of support. It helped people who had recently gained their freedom. The church provided shelter, work, and clothing. This helped the "Contraband" refugees adjust to their new lives in freedom.
As the Civil War continued, the church building was used as a hospital. It cared for wounded soldiers in Alexandria, which was a city on the front lines of the war. At one point, the federal government took control of all lands in the Confederate states, including Virginia. This meant Beulah Baptist Church's property and new building were taken. They were given back to the person who owned them before. In 1877, Reverend Robinson and the church leaders were able to buy the property back for their church community.
Church Leadership Over the Years
Reverend Clem Robinson served as pastor for twelve years, ending in 1875. From 1875 to 2017, twelve other men led Beulah Baptist Church. The pastor who served the longest was Reverend Dr. Columbus Watson. He led the church into the 21st century. He served 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 is a brick building with a gable roof. It stands freely on South Washington Street, which is a main road in the city. It is one of several important historic churches in the area. The two-story building has some unique features. These include a large stained-glass window in the center of the front. There are also two large brick panels that are set back into the wall. At each front corner, there are two small decorative brick points.
Additions and Improvements
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 nearby, was also installed. This organ is still at the church today.
Repairs and Resilience
In 1949, the wall on the north side 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 took place at the First Baptist Church and Third Baptist Church. The church basement was reopened in September 1950. The main worship area, called the sanctuary, was finished in November 1950. A "Rebuilding Stone" was placed to mark this event. You can still see these repairs today. The different colors of bricks on the outside walls show where the repairs were made.
See also
