The First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, one of the oldest Black churches in the U.S., celebrated the reconstruction of its original meeting house with a re-dedication on Friday. Established in 1776, the Virginia congregation began as secret gatherings of enslaved and free African Americans in defiance of laws. The original building, known as the African Baptist Meeting House, was destroyed by a tornado in 1834 and was later turned into a parking lot. Archaeologists uncovered the church's foundation in 2021, along with 62 graves linked to the congregation. The church has been rebuilt with historical accuracy, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation says. The dedication highlighted the importance of Black history as American history.
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Reginald F. Davis, pastor of First Baptist, poses for a photo alongside the burial ground that sits just outside the reconstructed African Baptist Meeting House, now known as the First Baptist Church, during a rededication ceremony in Williamsburg, Va., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Joe Feaster, a part-time historical interpreter who portrays pastor Gowan Pamphlet, steps out of the reconstructed African Baptist Meeting House, now known as First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, during a rededication ceremony in Williamsburg, Va., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
People line up to enter the reconstructed African Baptist Meeting House, now known as First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, during a community-wide rededication ceremony in Williamsburg, Va., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
People walk through the reconstructed African Baptist Meeting House, now known as First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, during a community-wide rededication ceremony in Williamsburg, Va., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
People drum during a community-wide rededication ceremony of the reconstructed African Baptist Meeting House, now known as First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, in Williamsburg, Va., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
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