250th Anniversary
“A Legacy of Faith and Freedom” Join us as we honor nearly 250 years of faith, worship, resilience, freedom, service, and community. This anniversary season invites members, descendants, visitors, partners, and friends to celebrate the sacred story of First Baptist Church and help carry the legacy forward. The 250th Anniversary is a church-wide season of remembrance, worship, storytelling, preservation, and celebration. This page is the central place for anniversary updates, tours, events, media highlights, and ways to participate. “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” — Psalm 126:3 Early beginnings of worship, gathering, and spiritual community. The church’s witness continues through courage, faith, and perseverance. Leadership, worship, education, and service strengthen the congregation. A sacred celebration of legacy, remembrance, restoration, and future vision. The anniversary experience begins with our church community and brings together faith, history, visitor hospitality, community engagement, and legacy preservation. Honoring the congregation, leadership, ministries, and members who carry the legacy forward. Honoring the spiritual foundation and generations who kept the faith. Sharing the story of the church, its people, and its place in Williamsburg. Welcoming individuals, families, groups, schools, churches, and community guests. Strengthening partnerships and inviting the broader community into the celebration. Preserving the church’s history while preparing the next generation to carry it forward. We warmly invite individuals, families, groups, churches, schools, and community guests to experience a meaningful tour of sacred history at The Historic First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, Virginia. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” — Psalm 122:1 Tour requests should be submitted in advance and are not confirmed until approved and communicated back to the requestor. The 250th Anniversary is the central focus of this page. This space highlights worship, history, tours, storytelling, heritage moments, media updates, and community engagement connected to this sacred milestone. “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.” — Psalm 145:4 Mark your calendar for key moments in the 2026 anniversary season. Final times, locations, host organizations, registration requirements, and event links should be confirmed before publication. Opening milestone for the anniversary season and the African American Heritage Trail experience. A special preview highlighting powerful historical photography and cultural memory. African Baptist Meeting House experience on Nassau Street. A sacred heritage moment honoring memory, place, and legacy. A formal celebration connected to the anniversary weekend and broader heritage observance. A multi-day celebration honoring 250 years of faith, freedom, worship, community, and legacy. Watch this TODAY feature highlighting the Black history at the heart of Colonial Williamsburg and the sacred legacy connected to this anniversary season. The 250th Anniversary is a time to gather and preserve memories, photographs, documents, testimonies, oral histories, media highlights, and community stories connected to First Baptist Church. “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” — Psalm 78:4 The Historic First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, Virginia warmly welcomes all who enter to experience a sacred legacy of worship, community, history, and hope — a lasting witness to faith, freedom, and God’s enduring grace since 1776. As we celebrate 250 years of faith and freedom, our Pastor, congregation, members, descendants, ministries, and community remain at the heart of this anniversary season. Here, faith, worship, leadership, ministry, hospitality, and service continue to carry a powerful legacy forward. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”— Psalm 100:4 We invite you to visit, worship with us, learn with us, and celebrate the living story of First Baptist Church — a place where history is honored, faith is strengthened, and generations continue to serve with love, purpose, and hope. “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” — Hebrews 10:24 The story of The Historic First Baptist Church is a story of faith, freedom, courage, community, and God’s continued faithfulness. As we prepare for this historic anniversary, we invite you to walk with us, worship with us, serve with us, remember with us, and help carry the legacy forward.
Celebrating 250 Years 1776–2026
Honoring Our Past.
Celebrating Our Present.
Preparing for Our Future.
A Journey of Faith And Freedom
Faith Takes Root
Strength Through Generations
Community & Ministry
250th Anniversary
A Sacred Milestone With Many Ways to Engage
First Baptist Church
Faith & Worship
History & Heritage
Tours & Visitors
Community
Legacy & Future
Experience “A Legacy of Faith and Freedom”
A Church-Wide Season of Remembrance and Celebration
Anniversary Activities and Special Moments
Groundbreaking and Soft Launch of AAHT
Sneak Peek: Dr. Ernest Withers’ Collection
Old Fashion Frame Raising
Unveiling of the African Baptist Meeting House and Burial Ground
LFRF Gala
FBC 250th Anniversary Weekend
TODAY — See the Black History at the Heart of Colonial Williamsburg
Preserving Memories and Sharing the Message
First Baptist Church: The Congregation at the Heart of the Anniversary Season
Honor Our Past. Celebrate Our Present. Shape Our Future.
