Endangered African American Historic Sites

Excavation of graves begins at historic Black church in Virginia

Thursday, July 21, 2022 • • General
Long-lost church in Williamsburg was once under a parking lot.

Archaeologists, blessed by community prayers and a reading from scripture, began to excavate graves this week at the long-lost site of the original First Baptist Church in Colonial Williamsburg, one of the oldest Black churches in the country.

Forty-one grave shafts have now been discovered at the site of the church, which was torn down in 1955 and covered by a parking lot because it didn't fit the town's Colonial motif.

Excavation of graves begins at historic Black church in Williamsburg. - The Washington Post

Long-lost church in Williamsburg was once under a parking lot.

Archaeologists, blessed by community prayers and a reading from scripture, began to excavate graves this week at the long-lost site of the original First Baptist Church in Colonial Williamsburg, one of the oldest Black churches in the country.

Forty-one grave shafts have now been discovered at the site of the church, which was torn down in 1955 and covered by a parking lot because it didn't fit the town's Colonial motif.

 

 

Visitor Comments (0)

Be the first to post a comment.

Discuss On Facebook