Mount Calvary Church
Dublin Core
Title
Mount Calvary Church
Date
May 15, 1870
Description
The church congregation traces its history to the African American men and women who settled near the Fairfax Courthouse. The recently emancipated enslaved formed an organization to raise funds to build a church. Land was purchased from the estate of Beecher Campbell and his wife. The original frame church was located on the west side of Chain Bridge Road. The first pastor, Rev. Marshall Downing served the church for 54 years. Early trustees were Louis Thompson, John Jackson, Strother Gibson, Martin Mellontree, and Louis Jackson.
Source
Building Item Type Metadata
Location
Chain Bridge Road Fairfax, Virginia
District
Town of Fairfax
Additional Notes
A white stucco church was dedicated in November 1955. The modern brick sanctuary that was built on the same site opened in 1999. The congregation owns a pulpit, altar chairs, banners, and flower stands dating from the 1880s.
Established Date
May 15, 1870
Photo Credit
Photo provided courtesy of https://mtcalvaryfairfax.net/about-us/
Files
Collection
Citation
“Mount Calvary Church,” Fairfax County African American History Inventory, accessed September 19, 2024, https://fairfaxaahi.centerformasonslegacies.com/items/show/176.