Historical highway markers

Buckingham Baptist Church

Historical highway marker F-56 · Buckingham County

The original portion of this church, now the south wing, was erected in the mid-18th century for the Church of England’s Tillotson Parish, formed in 1757. After Disestablishment of the Anglican Church following the American Revolution, the Buckingham Baptist congregation acquired the property. This congregation, organized by preacher Christopher Clarke, had been constituted in 1771 and was the first Baptist church in Buckingham County. Rane Chastain, the first minister, served for more than 50 years. African Americans constituted a majority of the membership in the 19th century before most withdrew to form independent congregations after the Civil War.

Department of Historic Resources, 2022