A monument to God that stands proudly on a hill off Centralia Road is now considered an historic landmark. A Virginia Historical Highway Marker was dedicated last Saturday with most of the First Baptist Church (Centralia) congregation on hand to celebrate its unveiling.
First Baptist Centralia was born out of the Freedmen of the Salem Baptist Church in 1867, who received support from their Mother Church to found their own Church that started in a brush arbor on Centralia Road on donated land.
After growing their congregation, in the early 20th century, what had become known as Salem African Baptist Church, became First Baptist Church (Centralia) when the members built a new sanctuary in Centralia near the railroad station.
Incorporating elements of the Gothic Revival and Colonial Revival style the church stood out as a unique testament to their creator. The church had out grown its space once again in 1963 and a new sanctuary was built about two-miles away on Kingsdale Rd., and it remains there today.
In 1996, vandals burned the church that sat on Centralia and Chester roads leaving a hole in the hearts of the congregation and the community. Only one year later the congregation rebuilt the burned-out church to its original specifications.
Approaching the 150th anniversary of the little church that could, the members of the church’s history committee were encouraged to apply for Historic Landmark Designation for the site where the church was founded and the location of the reconstructed church building that had burned and was rebuilt by church members.
Many pastors proudly served First Baptist (Centralia), and its current pastor has become a pillar of the community.
“I am proud to be the thirteenth pastor of First Baptist (Centralia) of which this Historic Church is now a Chesterfield County landmark,” said Pastor Dr Wilson E. B. Shannon, “I welcome you, on behalf of the First Baptist Church (Centralia) community to our celebration dedicating the First Baptist Church (Centralia) Virginia Historical Highway Marker. In so doing, we are paying homage to our forefathers; the Mother Church, Salem Baptist; the patrons supporting the installation of the marker through donations honoring and memorializing loved ones; the Historic First Baptist Church (Centralia) site and current church disciples, family and friends including the Baptist General Convention of Virginia.”
The process of getting the historical designation began in 2012. Chesterfield County designated the church’s original historic site in 2014. The church’s history committee then made application for an official highway marker. Nearly a year later, the church received notice from the Virginia Department of Transportation that the First Baptist Church (Centralia) highway marker had been received at VDOT and installation began. Last Saturday, members of the First Baptist Church (Centralia), along with friends, state and county officials celebrated and dedicated the First Baptist Church Centralia, Virginia Historical Highway Marker.
Following the unveiling, the celebration continued inside the historic church building.