First Baptist Church of Williamsburg: A Story That Deserves to Be Told

A Williamsburg Story of Faith, Strength and Hope

Williamsburg is known for its colonial history, but some of its most important stories are the ones that did not always receive the attention they deserved. The story of First Baptist Church of Williamsburg is one of them.

First Baptist Church was organized in 1776 by free and enslaved African Americans. In the early years, members met quietly in fields and wooded areas because Black Virginians faced restrictions on where and how they could gather.

One of the church’s early leaders was the Reverend Gowan Pamphlet. He was born into slavery and became one of the first ordained Black ministers in America. Under his leadership, the congregation grew and became an important part of Williamsburg’s Black community.

The church survived slavery, the American Revolution, the Civil War, Reconstruction, segregation and many other difficult periods in our history. Through it all, the congregation remained strong. The church became a place of worship, education, support and hope.

A New Book by Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander

This remarkable history is the subject of a new book by Dr. Cassandra L. Newby-Alexander titled First Baptist Church of Williamsburg: A History of Resilience, Determination, and Hope.

The book tells the story of the church and the people who kept it alive for generations. It also explains how the congregation stood against slavery, supported the rights of free Black citizens and remained strong as Black homes, businesses and communities were pushed out of parts of Williamsburg.

This is not simply a book about a church building. It is about the people who created a community and refused to let their faith or their history disappear.

Returning the Church to Its Original Site

The original congregation eventually built a meetinghouse around 1805 on Nassau Street. That building was destroyed by a tornado in 1834, and another church was later built on the property.

Colonial Williamsburg acquired the site in the 1950s, and the church building was removed. For many years, a parking lot covered part of this important history.

Archaeologists later uncovered the foundation of the early meetinghouse, along with graves connected to the congregation. In 2025, Colonial Williamsburg began the process of reconstructing the church at its original location. It is an important step in recognizing the Black men and women who were always part of Williamsburg’s history, even when their stories were overlooked.

The new book arrives at a perfect time, as First Baptist Church celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026.

My Personal Connection to Cassandra

This book also means something to me personally.

Cassandra and I attended middle school and high school together. We also had several history classes together. Looking back now, it is wonderful to see how she turned that interest in history into such an accomplished career.

Today, Dr. Newby-Alexander is the Endowed Professor of Virginia Black History and Culture at Norfolk State University. She has written several important books and articles and has appeared in national television programs and documentaries.

I am truly happy for her success. I am also proud to see someone I grew up with doing such important work and helping more people understand the parts of our history that were too often left out.

She has written some great books about Virginia and African American history, and this new book is another important contribution.

A Story Worth Knowing

The history of First Baptist Church of Williamsburg is a story of faith, strength and determination.

Its members gathered when gathering was dangerous. They worshipped when their freedom was limited. They built a church and a community that survived for generations.

Their story is not separate from Williamsburg’s history. It is a central part of it.

Anyone interested in Williamsburg, Virginia history, African American history or the role churches played in the struggle for freedom should read Dr. Newby-Alexander’s new book.

Learn more or purchase First Baptist Church of Williamsburg: A History of Resilience, Determination, and Hope from The Shops at Colonial Williamsburg.