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CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE <br />PROCLAMATION <br />First Baptist Church West Main Street <br />160th Anniversary Recognition <br /> <br />WHEREAS the story of First Baptist Church West Main Street of Charlottesville <br />began before the Civil War, when congregants worshipped together under segregated <br />conditions; and <br />WHEREAS in March 1863, shortly after the signing of the Emancipation <br />Proclamation, approximately 800 Black members presented an application to form their own <br />congregation, and their request was granted several months later; and <br />WHEREAS in 1868 the congregation purchased the Mudwall Building, officially the <br />Delevan Hotel, becoming known as the Delevan Baptist Church; and <br />WHEREAS the Delevan Baptist Church building was razed in 1876 and the new <br />building completed in 1883, with the congregation becoming known as The First Baptist <br />Church; and <br />WHEREAS after the Civil War, First Baptist Church was instrumental in holding <br />instruction within its walls, whereby hundreds of formerly enslaved people were educated; and <br />WHEREAS members have been in the forefront of race relations for nearly a century, <br />instrumental in establishing the local NAACP chapter, integrating patients at the University of <br />Virginia, serving on local boards and commissions, and remaining actively involved in the <br />community; <br />NOW, THEREFORE, the Charlottesville City Council takes great pleasure in <br />recognizing the 160thth anniversary of First Baptist Church West Main Street and the <br />contributions of its members throughout the years in service to Charlottesville and the <br />surrounding communities. <br />Signed and sealed this 6th day of November 2023. <br />___________________________ <br />J. Lloyd Snook, III, Mayor <br />Attest: <br />___________________________ <br />Kyna Thomas, Clerk of Council <br />Page 31 of 171