Hampton is home to many churches and worship centers, however, there are several that merit particular interest. These are celebrated both for their antiquity as well as their historical significance.
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Zion Baptist ChurchColiseum Central - 125 W. Country StreetEstablished in 1863, the congregation held house-to-house prayer meetings and open-air assemblies. The Rev. William Thornton, a former slave, was its first and only pastor for 39 years. Drawn by his powerful sermons, membership soon grew and a larger structure was raised on Country Road (now Cou… |
757-723-3442 |
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St. John's ChurchDowntown Hampton - 100 West Queen's WayEstablished in 1610, St. John's is the oldest continuous English-speaking parish in the U.S. The worship building has been at its present site on Queens Way since 1728. A recorded message introduces visitors to the church and its history, which includes a stained-glass window depicting the baptism of… More info » |
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Queen Street Baptist ChurchDowntown Hampton - 190 West Queen's WayFirst known as Second Baptist (considered a branch of First Baptist Church of Williamsburg), Queen Street Church was established in 1865 by African Americans from Williamsburg. The group worshiped at various locations including the Hampton Court House and at Butler School near the site of the Emanc… More info » |
757-723-6630 |
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Memorial ChurchDowntown Hampton - Shore DriveLocated on the campus of Hampton University, Memorial Church—also known as Memorial Chapel-- is an Italian-Romanesque structure that features a 150 ft. tower and four-faced illuminated clock. Built in 1886, the elaborate building was designed by New York architect J.C. Cady. It is still used as a… More info » |
757-727-5308 |
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Little England ChapelDowntown Hampton - 4100 Kecoughtan Road - Hampton, VA 23669Built circa 1879, Little England Chapel is the only African-American missionary chapel known to exist in Virginia. A permanent exhibit in the sanctuary helps visitors understand the religious lives of Virginia’s post-Civil War African-Americans. It includes handwritten Sunday school lessons, photogr… More info » |
757-722-4249 |
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Chapel of the CenturionPhoebus - Ruckman RoadBuilt in 1858, the chapel was the Army's oldest wooden structure in continuous use for religious service. The Chapel is named after the Roman Centurion, Cornelius, who was brought to Christianity by Peter. Construction of the chapel began in 1856 and it was consecrated on May 3, 1858. It was designed… More info » |
757-788-3391 |