Wharton Memorial Baptist Church Complex

Faith leaders of the local Black community organized Beautiful Plain Baptist Church here in 1882. Pastor Jordan Mosley and the congregation first met in a two-room log building then in use as a school. Teacher George D. Wharton, a Hampton Institute graduate and pivotal force in the community, later served for 35 years as pastor. The church was renamed in his honor. The church burned in 1940 and was replaced with the present sanctuary. Averett School, built here ca. 1900, educated students in grades 1-7 until 1960 and later served as a gathering place for the community. A cemetery known as Wharton Memorial Garden was established nearby in 1894.

Department of Historic Resources, 2022