First Baptist Church of Merrifield
Dublin Core
Title
First Baptist Church of Merrifield
Date
1891
Description
On September 18, 2021, First Baptist celebrated its 151st homecoming anniversary celebration weekend, marking 151 years of providing spiritual leadership, community outreach, and opportunities for worship in the Baptist tradition to residents of Fairfax County. The history of First Baptist began in 1871, when the church members, together with other churches, met in a log cabin between Graham Road and Seven Corners. In 1891, First Baptist Church of Merrifield found their permanent home when a plot of land in Merrifield was purchased by church trustees John E. Coates, Joshua Ball, and Joshua Pearson for $5. The first church structure was built with lumber transported by horse-drawn wagons from the Alexandria docks. Before it was completed, the structure was destroyed by a severe storm. The community rebuilt the church in three years.
Worshippers included residents of The Pines, a community of Black residents that began after the Civil War and was located south of the church along today’s Woodburn Road.
The building is red brick on cinderblock. It is located behind a gas station on Gallows Road. Across Gallows Road is the Mosaic District, a planned community of residences, businesses, and services that in the 21st century replaced industrial buildings.
During the 32-year tenure of Pastor Charles Parker, the church added a youth department; established a college scholarship fund; added deacons, deaconesses, and completed a new church building. In 1983, Pastor Lenwood Graham, Sr., led First Baptist Church through a period of expansion as the church increased its membership, became more active in foreign and domestic missionary work, and established the Merrifield Child Development Center. In 2021, First Baptist Church of Merrifield is led by the Reverend Dr. Paul A. Sheppard, offering worship services every Sunday and Bible study classes and other ministries during the week. Rev. Sheppard is rooted in the Merrifield community. His grandfather was part of the first class of Luther Jackson High School. During the COVID-19 pandemic the church partnered on outreach efforts with the Greater Merrifield Business Association and the Merrifield community to hold festivals, distribute free food, give away gift cards, and hold seminars on anxiety and grief. In October 2021 Fairfax County recognized and honored the church with a proclamation.
Worshippers included residents of The Pines, a community of Black residents that began after the Civil War and was located south of the church along today’s Woodburn Road.
The building is red brick on cinderblock. It is located behind a gas station on Gallows Road. Across Gallows Road is the Mosaic District, a planned community of residences, businesses, and services that in the 21st century replaced industrial buildings.
During the 32-year tenure of Pastor Charles Parker, the church added a youth department; established a college scholarship fund; added deacons, deaconesses, and completed a new church building. In 1983, Pastor Lenwood Graham, Sr., led First Baptist Church through a period of expansion as the church increased its membership, became more active in foreign and domestic missionary work, and established the Merrifield Child Development Center. In 2021, First Baptist Church of Merrifield is led by the Reverend Dr. Paul A. Sheppard, offering worship services every Sunday and Bible study classes and other ministries during the week. Rev. Sheppard is rooted in the Merrifield community. His grandfather was part of the first class of Luther Jackson High School. During the COVID-19 pandemic the church partnered on outreach efforts with the Greater Merrifield Business Association and the Merrifield community to hold festivals, distribute free food, give away gift cards, and hold seminars on anxiety and grief. In October 2021 Fairfax County recognized and honored the church with a proclamation.
Source
April 3, 2013, oral history: Marion Dobbins was interviewed for the Providence Perspectives History project conducted through the Providence Supervisors office; transcripts are now at FCPL
Dobbins also: The History of the First Baptist Church of Merrifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0wSzquvFFo
Building Item Type Metadata
Location
8122 Ransell Road, Falls Church (Merrifield), 22042
District
Providence
Photo Credit
Photo provided courtesy of Sue Kovach -Shuman
Files
Collection
Citation
“First Baptist Church of Merrifield,” Fairfax County African American History Inventory, accessed September 16, 2024, https://fairfaxaahi.centerformasonslegacies.com/items/show/126.