18th Century Worship Service

On March 8, 2009, West End re-created an 18th century Baptist worship service as part of our Heritage Sunday celebration. Virginia's Baptist heritage began in the 18th century when the first Baptist church was established in southeastern Virginia in 1714 by the First Company coming from England. The  Second Company were Regular Baptists who came from Maryland and established churches in Berkeley and Loudon Counties starting in 1743. The Third Company was from New England and were called New Light or Separatist Baptists. They settled in Virginia around 1758 and spread very quickly. Virginia Baptists were early supporters of freedom of religion and separation of Church and State.  Our heritage service was an opportunity to praise God and give thanks in a fashion similar to our colonial forebears and get a sense of what it may have been like to worship here over 200 years ago when the Baptist church was growing in Virginia. To provide period atmosphere, many church members were attired in period clothing.  The worship celebration included a visit from the Reverend John Leland, brought to life by Fred Anderson, Executive Director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies (www.baptistheritage.org). Click on any photo below to enlarge.