Bethlehem Baptist Church and Cemetery
Title
Bethlehem Baptist Church and Cemetery
Date
1863 - 1865
Description
The church was organized in 1863 in people’s homes under the leadership of the former enslaved Reverend Samuel K. Taylor. In 1865, the first church building was erected and named Bethlehem. The original structure, built of lumber donated from a United States government stable in Alexandria, served as a school as well as a church. The growth of the congregation led to the creation of a second building, erected in 1884.
Creator
Samuel K. Taylor
Location
7836 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, VA 22306
District
Mount Vernon
Historical Marker
Additional Notes
Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites:
Parcel Number: 102-1 ((1)) 67B
The 1930 structure is on the Inventory. The Summary and Historic Landmark File are available at the Virginia Room, Fairfax Regional Library: HLF - Churches - Bethlehem Baptist Church - Fairfax (VA)
Parcel Number: 102-1 ((1)) 67B
The 1930 structure is on the Inventory. The Summary and Historic Landmark File are available at the Virginia Room, Fairfax Regional Library: HLF - Churches - Bethlehem Baptist Church - Fairfax (VA)
Collection
Citation
Samuel K. Taylor, “Bethlehem Baptist Church and Cemetery,” Fairfax County African American History Inventory, accessed October 24, 2026, https://fairfaxaahi.centerformasonslegacies.com/items/show/14.