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[Audio] Culpeper Baptist Church 250th Anniversary Heritage Room. Purpose: To tell the story of the Culpeper Baptist Church.

[Audio] In Colonial Virginia the established church, the Anglican Church, was the religion by law. Those who didn't attend Anglican services were subject to fines. Virginians who failed to bring their infants to the Anglican priests for baptism could be fined two thousand pounds of tobacco. Only Anglican priests could perform marriages or bury the dead. Non-Anglicans, including the rising group called " Baptists," were on the outside and labeled as " dissenters." Occasionally, at certain places and times they were permitted to preach, but toleration was not what the Baptists desired. They wanted full freedom for all people to worship, or not to worship, according to the dictates of their conscience. In the first half of the 18th century, the Baptists in Virginia represented a small minority. They had a few scattered meetinghouses but were not a significant factor in the social, political, or religious life of the colonies. As the Baptist became more numerous, they increasingly were perceived as a threat to the established order. In some localities they were openly persecuted by rowdies or overzealous authorities. For a decade, from 1768- 78, Baptists in eastern Virginia were subjected to a wave of persecution. Baptist meetings wee interrupted by gangs. Preachers were threatened. Before the decade closed, some 40 Baptists, both laypersons and ministers, were in prison or otherwise persecuted for their faith. All the while the numbers of Baptists kept increasing. From a few scattered churches prior to the persecution, they had grown to perhaps 10,000 members by the time of the American Revolution, and then doubled again within 12 years. The Baptists bore the brunt of religious persecution in Virginia. Other religious groups, especially the Presbyterians, participated in the struggle for religious liberty, but it was the Baptist who occupied the jails..

Some reasons for dissention with the Church of England.

[Audio] The rusty lock and key from the Culpeper jail where a dozen Virginia Baptist ministers and laymen were imprisoned for conscience's sake from 1769- 74, might be considered the single most significant relic to interpret the struggle for religious liberty in America. George Braxton Taylor, a Virginia Baptist historian and minister, somehow rescued it. In the book, " Imprisoned Preachers and Religious Liberty in Virginia, by Lewis Peyton Little, 1938, "he states on page 436, that the old Culpeper Colonial jail lock and key was presented to Richmond College by Dr. Geo. B. Taylor, along with one old mortar-stained brick; both of which are being preserved by our Virginia Baptist Historical Society. This lock and key are all that is left of the old door which screeched and groaned on its mammoth, home-made hinges, as it swung to with a sudden thud, shutting in Baptist preachers from the light of day. The old lock is rusty and antiquated in appearance, and its ponderous key weights 7- 1/2 ounces. No longer does it respond to the touch of the jailer and bar the way of Baptist preachers to light and liberty. It served its purpose well, and if its tongue could speak many harrowing tales of persecution, it no doubt would tell. As we think of this jail door, and all the others like it, in old Virginia at that time, a whole troop of sad memories come pouring in upon us, and we cannot recall any other door around which so many sad memories cluster.".

[Audio] Picture of Jamie Ireland preaching from the small grated window of the Culpeper Jail. "Having ventured all upon Christ, I determined to suffer all for him." " From my Palace in Culpeper" James Ireland "When I would be preaching through the little iron grate, the wicked and persecutors would ride up at a gallop among my hearers, …. And myself threatened with being shut up in total darkness if ever I presumed to preach to the people again." James Ireland Letter from D.T. Dear Brother, I am told that you are honoured with a prison, if it is for Christ, it is an honour indeed, but if for satan or self, a very great dishonour. I am informed that you not only preach Jesus Christ as a Saviour, but as a Judge also, and for that reason must love you as a fellow labourer in the gospel. I have nothing a present to add for your consolation, for God has said enough in his word to comfort his people on all occasions, and I hope you are not without a bible, and if you are led by the spirit of Christ, you then possess the same spirit of him who is the author of it. O brother, if you can, by bearing the charming, lovely cross of Jesus Christ, win one of the strongest of satan's strong holds, no matter then how soon you die, and if you thus die for him, how would the glorious armies of the Martyrs above, shout to see Ireland coming from a prison to reign with them in glory. He then concludes with assurances of his respect for me & c. D. T..

[Audio] This is my focal point of the room. With a panel insert in the old window space, I will create a jail. The small, iron grated window is the same size as the one in the old church on East and Davis Street. Jailed in Culpeper for preaching the Gospel, James Ireland, Elijah Craig, Nathaniel Saunders, William McClanahan, Samuel Harris, John Picket, Anderson Moffett, John Corbley, Thomas Maxwell, John Dulaney, Adam Banks & Thomas Amon. Copy of warrant for the arrest of Nathaniel Saunders and William McClanahan. Copy of an arrest warrant for Nathaniel Saunders from Orange County..

[Audio] It was John Leland, who played a decisive role in the formulation of the Constitution's religious liberty Provisions, and for recognizing that Baptists generally sought liberty of conscience for all men. "By liberty of conscience, I mean, the inalienable right that each individual has, of worshiping his God according to the dictates of his conscience, without being prohibited, directed, or controlled therein by human law, either in time, place, or manner.".

[Audio] The Petitions In the decades of 1770's numerous petitions for religious liberty were composed, circulated, and signed by Baptists. They called for the elimination of the constraints imposed by the established church. There were numerous petitions seeking to abolish the "favored religion" status of the Anglican Church and tax assessments for the support of the established church, and to establish recognition of marriages performed by a dissenter. The petitions were circulated, and many courageous Baptist ministers and lay persons signed their names. Even after independence was secured from Great Britain, there were those who would reinstate a state religion. Some dissenters would have condoned church and state alliances if they were included. But not the Baptists! They wanted full religious freedom for all groups, no privileged status for any group, and complete separation of church and state, with the government interfering only for protection of liberty. On January 16, 1786, Virginia made history with the passage of the Act for Establishing Religious Freedom offered by Thomas Jefferson. The Baptists of Virginia had endorsed the bill and clamored for its approval. It guaranteed "that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry, whatsoever…but that opinions in matters of religion." Jefferson's Act made a significant and lasting contribution to humanity..

[Audio] "Till the meeting house was erected, an arbor was set up, under the shelter of which, other travelling ministers attended and preached to the people in my absence." James Ireland.

[Audio] Two boys, Evans Bragg and Beryl Shenck, grandsons of Reuben Hudson, deacon of the church from 1826- 1833, unveiled a stone with the following inscription: " Here Stood the Mt. Pony Baptist Church, Organized 1774, Moved to Culpeper 1833, Name Changed to Culpeper Baptist Church, 1873. This stone erected in 1907." "Here stood Mt. Pony Baptist Church, organized 1774, moved to Culpeper 1833, Name changed to Culpeper Baptist Church 1873. This stone erected 1907".

[Audio] The Church took the following action on November 10, 1832. "Ordered by the church that it is expedient that the Baptist Denomination should have a meeting house at Culpeper Court House on the land lately given by Doctor M. C. Buck for that purpose." Almost a year later a resolution was passed to constitute two churches out of the Mt. Poney church – one at Stevensburg and one at Culpeper Court House to be still known as Mount Poney..

[Audio] "In Culpeper, James Ireland was arrested and tried by magistrates, who insulted him, and used the most profane and opprobrious epithets, and then thrust him into jail. Here he was subjected to cruel indignities, endangering his life; and yet, like Webber, Waller, Anthony, and others, he preached through the iron grates, and like the primitive preachers had so much of the presence of his Savior, that he addressed his letters, "From my palace in Culpeper." In the same county, Saunders, Craig, Maxwell, Corbley, and Ammon were imprisoned for preaching; Maxfield and Banks, laymen, were arrested for holding a prayer meeting; and Delaney, not a Baptist, for allowing a meeting to be held at his house. Such has been the righteous retribution that Culpeper Church stands on the very site of the old jail and has 208 members. Its honored pastor, Rev. J. B. Taylor, Jr., sits by my side, and one of its messengers, Gen. Field, now presides over this immense assemblage." (The lock and key of the old jail were exhibited, and they were to be placed permanently in the College Museum. In coming years, when the young men shall gaze on these relics, they will remind them of noble men and nobler deeds than any key that ever turned-on royal prisoners.)" J. L. M. Curry May 28, 1873.

[Audio] The church was used as a hospital by the Union from September 13 to October 11, 1863, then by the Confederates for a short time and again by the Union when they re-entered the town on November 9th. No public services were permitted in the church from that day through the 4th of May 1864, when Grant's army moved on toward Richmond..

[Audio] "My father's plantation was in Culpeper, from ten to twelve miles north of the Court House. It must have been in the latter of 1885 or the first of 1886; that my father took me to Culpeper Courthouse. We were standing on the south side of the street looking at the Baptist Church on the north side of the same street. My father said to me, pointing to the church, 'There once stood the jail, and in that jail my uncle, Anderson Moffett, was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel.' Then turning to his right and designating the house on the corner diagonal from the Baptist Church, he said there was the home of two old people, Mr. and Mrs. Asher, who were ardent Baptists, and when that Baptist church was being built, they sat under that tree (in the corner of their yard), watched its construction, rejoiced and thanked God for what He had done for the Baptists." W. W. Moffett At a Church meeting on April 29th, 1873, on the motion of Brother F. M. Latham, the name of this church was changed from Mount Poney to Culpeper. On Sunday, May 30, 1876, the Church hosted the annual meeting of the Virginia Baptist General Association. Arrangements had to be made to house the delegates during their stay and the different railroad companies contracted to provide return tickets for the visitors. It was planned to set up tables in the church yard for those in attendance. During this convention the organization of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society was completed in the basement of the Church. On June 3, 1876, the newly formed Virginia Baptist Historical Society elected Jeremiah Bell Jeter as their first president ( 1876- 1880). ( James Taylor, Jr. was president of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society 1894- 1901) and later his nephew George Braxton Taylor became president ( 1933- 1941) and it was he, that gave a brick, the lock and key from the old colonial jail to the Virginia Baptist Historical Society.).

[Audio] 1892 Fire Religious Herald, October 13, 1892 DESTRUCTION OF THE CULPEPER CHURCH Editors Herald, - The Culpeper Baptist church house, notwithstanding brave and faithful efforts to save it, was completely destroyed by fire during the night of October 6 and 7th. House and furniture were insured for less than half their value. While the ruins were still hot and smoking the church met, appointed committees, and the rally started a subscription list. We have not yet procured a room in which to worship while rebuilding. We mean to do our very best but are not able to erect free of debt such a house as our denomination ought to have at this point. There are many to whom we need make no further appeal than is implied in a simple statement of the facts. Culpeper, Va. E. W. Winfrey. Religious Herald, Nov. 10, 1892 The destruction by fire of the Baptist church at Culpeper, Va., last week is announced in these columns by the beloved pastor, Rev. E. W. Winfrey. He also speaks of the prompt action taken looking to a speedy repairing of the loss. That church, as many of our readers know, covered the very spot on which the old jail stood in which James Ireland and other Baptists were incarcerated. We are told by Ireland's biographer that he was "accompanied to the Culpeper jail amid the abuses of his persecutors," and that he not only suffered by the extreme inclemency of the weather, but by the personal maltreatment of his foes. They attempted to blow him up with gun powder, but the individual who led in this infamous conduct was shortly after in a hunting excursion, and while asleep in the woods was bitten by a mad wolf, of which wound he died after the most excruciating pain. The enemies of Ireland next attempted to suffocate him by burning brimstone at the door and window of his prison. They also attempted to poison him. This godly man said that he could cite a hundred instances of cruelty which he was called to suffer in the Culpeper jail. Added to all this he says: "I expected every court to be brought out to the whipping post before the gazing multitude, but," he adds, "I sat down and counted the cost and believed that through Christ strengthening me I could suffer all things for his sake." While the enemies of the gospel were rejoicing that this able Baptist minister had been silenced, the preacher himself was writing letter headed, "From my Palace in Culpeper," and he tells us that often he was cheered by hearing that these same letters were "signally blessed to the conversion of numbers who were anxiously led to inquire into the cause for which" he "suffered." Writing to his fellow laborer, Rev. David Thomas, Ireland said: "Oh, brother, if you can by bearing the charming, lovely cross of Jesus Christ, win one of the strongest of Satan's strongholds, no matter then how soon you die." The spirit which fired the heart of James Ireland lives in those who constitute the church at Culpeper, of which he was the founder and patron. The Culpeper Baptist church has had a glorious history. Far and wide has its influence reached, but never has it done better than of late years. Culpeper has helped to build churches for others, and with a generous hand it has given to every good cause. Let all who can help, send something to Bro. Winfrey to aid in rebuilding the Culpeper church. We shall not be able to build a suitable house without help from beyond the bounds of the Shiloh Association. In order to finish such a house, free of debt, we shall need about fifteen thousand dollars. Of this amount we think we can secure about ten thousand within twelve months. This includes the insurance money and material now in hand. The liberality of my people is proverbial, and cannot well be over-estimated, but their financial strength is strangely over-rated by some good brethren. We need the house right away, though our present quarters are quite comfortable, and we are truly grateful for them. I would be glad if brother pastors would invite me to visit their churches, or let me know that they will, through active, earnest-hearted workers of their own selection, give us substantial evidence of their interest in the enterprise. – E. W. Winfrey. July 3, 1893 – Regular Monthly Church meeting, Bro. J. F. Harris & R. M. Thompson were appointed to assist the ladies with their dinner on the occasion of the laying of the corner stone on the 6th inst. Bro. W. P. Hill reported that Dr. W. W. Landrum of 2nd Church Richmond would be present..

[Audio] Fourth Culpeper Baptist Church 1894 – 1955 After the fire, the church immediately set about plans for rebuilding and proceeded to find a temporary place of worship. It was decided to accept the offer of the old Methodist church building on West Street. This house was repaired and occupied until July 1894. It was decided to rebuild the church on the old foundation and salvage as man of the bricks as possible. The first preaching service was held in the lecture room, July 22, 1894, and the new building was dedicated on June 16, 1895..

[Audio] This is a copy of an old post card of Davis Street Culpeper. The Baptist Church can be seen faded into the background on the left..

[Audio] Members that served in World War One.. Members that served in WWI — Honor Roll Armstrong, Tyree Almond, Edmond Brown, Charlie (Gold Star) Browne, Herndon Barbour, John Covington, John Covington. Wallace Duncan, H. Drewery, Edwin Freeman, John Garnett, Joshua Hutcherson, Roy Johnson, R. A. Jeffries, J. L. Johnson, P. Kennedy, D. S. Kelly, Jr., Wright Lacy, H. B. Mann, Walker (Gold Star) McDonald, A. Nalle, Owen Payne, W. Reams, Everett Rpsson, John (Gold Star) Smith, Richard Smith, Russell Thornhill, Clinton Thomas, Tappy Watkins, Robert White, Floyd Almond, M. Arnold, John Brown, A. Blake, Charles Blake, Henry Clarke, George Duncan, Edward Duvall, Robert Fray, John Gilmer, E. B. Hitt, Walter Jennings, Louie Jeffries, M. C. Jennings, Beverly Kennedy, W. A. Kelly, Jr., R. T. Latham, Fred May, Guy McFarland, C. May, Herbert Newman, Edgar Reams, Richard Royston, Tom Ryan, Hugh Shotwell, Randolph Smith, Charles Tuell, Guy Timmons, Alvin Woolfolk, Stanley Winf , H. B..

[Audio] Educational building 1960.. Culpeper Baptist Church Picture taken October 2, 1960.

[Audio] Present day Culpeper Baptist Church. I like the aerial view in the office better..

[Audio] President elect- Clinton's visit to the Culpeper Baptist Church. January 1993 brought a flurry of activity around the church. President-elect Bill Clinton and Vice-President-elect Al Gore and their families asked if they could participate in a worship service at the church on the inaugural trip to Washington, D.C. The church agreed and planning began. On January 24, the Clintons, and the Gores along with Virginia Senator Charles Robb and Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder joined the church in worship. Fred Anderson, president of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society was asked by Pastor Bert Browning to bring the ancient lock and key from the Culpeper jail so that he could use the artifact in his sermon. Fred Anderson's personal reminiscence was, "I carried the precious relic in a box and was stopped at the security point. The guard took one look and said, "Oh, I know exactly what that is!" He waved me on. The congregation sat in anticipation of the presidential party, which arrived after everyone had been seated. Pastor Browning preached on maintaining convictions, referring to the account of Daniel in the lions' den. At one point he held aloft the lock and key and said: "This is the price some paid for living their convictions.".

[Audio] Elijah Craig bourbon. Combined with Temperance movement. John R Moffett, Born October 16th, 1858, in Culpeper County. Assassinated in Danville, Va., November 11, 1892 Leader of Temperance Reform Movement Saturday, March 13th, 1841. Bro. Wm A. Hill submitted the following resolutions which were unanimously adopted. Resolved that a committee of seven be appointed to take into consideration the propriety of this church as a body, taking some step to retard the progress of intemperance in our land, and if in their opinion some move should be made, then, Resolved that it be the duty of said committee to set forth in their report a suggestion of some plan, which in their estimation will be best calculated to retard the progress of said evil, with their reasons for sustaining said plan. Saturday, December 10th, 1842 The resolution laid before the church at October meeting on the subject of temperance, was taken up, and after discussion, almost unanimously adopted. Saturday, April 8th, 1843. The following letter from Cedar Run Church was laid before us. "Whereas this church made a rule prohibiting the traffick in ardent spirits, as a business, by any of her members against which, one only of her members has remonstrated as being oppressive, unequal & c., at the same time appealing to the practice of other churches, therefore for the sake of uniformity, harmony & c., resolved that this church send a delegate to as many of the neighboring churches as can conveniently be done, with a copy of said rule and the proceedings of that meeting, respectfully soliciting a response from them, respecting the expediency or inexpediency of such a rule, and report to this church on the 1st Saturday in May next. The following query was presented to the church viz: Will this church tolerate the traffick in ardent spirits as a business, by any of her members? After some deliberation, the church unanimously agreed to the following answer viz: "That she will not tolerate such a practice." After discussion the following preamble and resolution were adopted: Whereas our Sister Church at Cedar Run has asked our opinion touching the expediency of a Baptist Church adopting a Rule prohibiting her members from making the traffick in ardent Spirits a Business: and whereas any subject touching the fellowship of our Sister Churches is a delicate one, we would respectfully decline to say any more than this: That although we as a church have not found it expedient to adopt such a rule, for the government of our own body, we regard each church as an independent body, capable of making her own rules; and that when so made, her members are in duty bound to obey them; nevertheless, Resolved that we as a church, would not hold in fellowship any member who keeps a Grog Shop..

[Audio] 1833 Mount Poney Constitution. Only part of the 1822 Constitution remains..

[Audio] 1834 Membership of the Mount Poney Baptist Church, showing 97 white members and 113 black members. Slaves are identified by their owners..

[Audio] 1776 Map of Culpeper County, showing the location of the Mount Poney Church..

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER In 1949 the church kindergarten was inaugurated, starting with six youngsters, and directed by Mrs. John Meriwether Lewis. They met first in the Sunday School addition and then moved to the Annex. Mrs. Irma Ingram served as Kindergarten Director (her title was later changed to Child Development Center Director) until her retirement in 1988..

[Audio] Virginia Baptist Home When it was first proposed that the Virginia Association provide a home for aged Baptists, Dr. Edwards became active in promoting Culpeper as the site. In January 1946, the church authorized him to take time as needed to campaign for funds for the home. A year later he became Superintendent of the Baptist Home for the Aged, and he left the Culpeper pastorate in March 1947. The first unit of the new home was opened in 1950, but in the meantime a few residents were cared for in a house on North Main Street. In an interview with the Star Exponent, Dr. Edwards described the home as the climax of his career and the " fulfillment of a dream". It was during his pastorate at the Culpeper Baptist Church that he became convinced of the need for and practicability of such an institution. He first sold the idea to the Virginia Baptist Board of Missions and Education. This board recommended it to the Virginia Baptist General association which adopted the idea in 1945. The site was selected the following year, and Dr. Edwards was assigned the task of raising money to build and operate the home..

[Audio] Generations Central Kay Kirkland. We have an average of 6- 7 participants attending per day (up from 5- 6 last month). Our census is up to 11 with most participants attending more than once per week. We now have almost 20 volunteers investing roughly 33/hours per week in the program. We have been coordinating fun events with the CDC. The most recent was a Wizard of Oz movie day where our participants dressed up and created decorations for the kids to enjoy..

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