By LaTika Lee
special correspondent

The history of African-American churches in Chesterfield County was the focus of an African-American History Month program held Feb. 28 at First Baptist Church of Midlothian. The program, presented by the African-American History Committee of the Chesterfield Historical Society (AAHC), recognized the formation and establishment of the early black churches organized during slavery, throughout the mid- to late 19th century and early 20th century in Chesterfield County.

As the beat of the Djembe drum sounded the call to worship, the Rev. Herbert C. Townes, Associate Minister, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church offered a prayer, “We gather in this place, in the spirit of our ancestors and our native land.”

AAHC committee member Mrs. Charlene Anderson said, in reverence, “We remember and give thanks to our forefathers and mothers who were brought from foreign lands. We remember the ‘invisible church’ where enslaved people could steal away for a moment to briefly set aside the oppression of plantation life to worship a God of liberation and freedom.”

The commemoration featured Dr. Lauranett L. Lee, Curator, African-American history at the Virginia Historical Society.  Dr. Lee’s talk, titled “Influences of Church, Family and Community in Chesterfield County,” weaved together a story of faith, family and fellowship.

“Chesterfield’s geography and limited resources for African Americans contributed to the closeness of its people. It’s also in our gathering here today that contributes to its closeness,” Lee said to the members to the 15 different African American churches represented in the standing-room-only sanctuary, with many attendees sitting in the overflow rooms.

Lee explained that the story is not just about buildings but also about the establishment of community during a very difficult period in history. Many churches united to serve as venues to raise funds in order to build schools and other churches pooled resources or used their sanctuaries as school classrooms. “The stories we tell are about the people who inhabited those buildings ... they make up the life and blood of our stories,” Lee said.

Many of the churches were founded in “brush arbors,” an African-influenced religious practice. “This term was known to denote clandestine religious meetings held in wooded areas or remote cabins in Africa. The brush arbors represented the best areas for religious meetings because they offered a “safe-haven” for enslaved Africans to communicate with God. It was a sanctuary for praying, healing, sacrifice and purification,” Lee said.

At the request of the AAHC committee, Lee quizzed the audience on their knowledge of the county’s churches. “Name the church that has given birth to six other churches,” she said.

Founded in 1846, First Baptist Church of Midlothian is recognized as the oldest African American church in Chesterfield County.  It was organized by the large slave and free black population that worked for the local coal mining companies.  The first church was built on the property of the Grove Shaft Mines and was originally named the First African Baptist Church of Coalfield. 

Lee continued with questions about other churches in the community. With the call-and-response style of worship known in African American churches, the congregation shouted answers upon hearing their own churches’ facts. She also examined Virginia legislation and its impact on enslaved and free African people’s ability to gather to worship. African Americans were not allowed to assemble publicly, as prescribed by law. Lee’s research has documented education, black businesses and community life, including the history of black schools, during segregation. Many visitors in the audience had attended either the former Hickory Hill School or Carver High School. 

Also recognized was the late Brenda Friend Briggs, a founding AAHC member who was posthumously honored by the AAHC chair Cornelia Owens Good. Beulah Baptist Church member Mrs. Lula Walker Jones, who was born in 1903, was also recognized for her enduring life.  Chesterfield County Deputy County Administrator Millard “Pete” Stith and Chesterfield County School Board member Omarh Rajah, along with his children, were also in attendance.

Throughout the afternoon program, the Community Mass Choir, directed by Paulette Rainey with energetic accompaniment by Gerald Jackson, offered a moving rendition of “Jesus We Give You the Honor and Praise,” as well as a medley of spirituals. Table displays of African-American artifacts, pictorial histories and memorabilia filled the annex, showcasing the contributions of the church institutions. AAHC member Sarah Gregory lit a candle in honor of the past, present and future. “We remember, give thanks and have hope for future generations.”