Zion Poplars Baptist Church

Historic church in Virginia, United States

United States historic place

Significant dates

Zion Poplars Baptist Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Virginia Landmarks Register


37°23′58″N 76°30′33″W / 37.39935°N 76.50905°W / 37.39935; -76.50905
Built	1894
Architect	Braxton, Frank
Architectural style	Gothic Revival
NRHP reference No.	99000970^[1]
VLR No.	036-5001
Added to NRHP	August 05, 1999
Designated VLR	June 16, 1999^[2]

Zion Poplars Baptist Church is a historic Baptist church located near Gloucester, Gloucester County, Virginia. It was built in 1894 during the Reconstruction Era, and served more than just religious functions. As one of the oldest independent African American congregations in Gloucester County, Virginia, the church also served the economic and educational needs of its community. It was built in the Gothic Revival style with vernacular detailing, attributed to the handiwork of Frank Braxton, a former slave. The church gained its name from the historical origins of the church and congregation, because the first services were held under seven united poplar trees. Four of these trees still stand on church grounds today.^[3]

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
^ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
^ Natalie S. Robertson (August 1998). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Zion Poplars Baptist Church" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying photo