Story perspectives

Reconstructed First Baptist Church Rededicated for 250th Anniversary

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 1:09 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and community leaders rededicated the reconstructed First Baptist Church of Williamsburg.
Hundreds of Williamsburg residents attended the ceremony marking the church’s 250th anniversary.
The congregation founded the church in 1776, defying laws that barred Black gatherings.
Archaeologists uncovered the original foundation and 62 graves in 2021, DNA linking three remains to the congregation.
Pastor Reginald F. Davis said the restoration shows Black history is American history.

1 of 1

Story summary

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and community leaders rededicated the reconstructed First Baptist Church of Williamsburg.
Hundreds of Williamsburg residents attended the ceremony marking the church’s 250th anniversary.
The congregation founded the church in 1776, defying laws that barred Black gatherings.
Archaeologists uncovered the original foundation and 62 graves in 2021, DNA linking three remains to the congregation.
Pastor Reginald F. Davis said the restoration shows Black history is American history.