To improve the lives of former slaves, Ellen McCormick, widow of Edward McCormick of Clermont, established this African American community of 31 one-acre lots early in the 1870s. The lots, laid out on either side of the 16-foot-wide street that originated near the tollgate on the Berryville Turnpike, sold for $100 each. The community probably was named for Josephine Williams, who owned two lots. By 1900 Josephine City had become an oasis for Clarke County’s African American residents and included a school, grocery store, gas station, boarding house, restaurant, cemetery, and two churches.
Early in the 1870's African Americans established Josephine City, a community originally composed of 31 one-acre lots lining a 16-foot-wide street. Twenty-four former slaves and free blacks purchased the lots at $100 an acre from Ellen McCormick, owner of Clermont Farm. The street and the community were probably named after a former slave at Clermont, Josephine Williams, purchaser of two lots. By 1900, Josephine City had become an oasis for the county’s African Americans and was a self-sufficient community with a school, grocery store, gas station, boarding house, restaurant, cemetery, churches, and numerous residents.
This building was erected in 1908 with the brick front added later.
Across the street from the brick church is the Franklin Annex, built in 1882. It served as the main church until the newer one was built in 1908. An online history of Zion Baptist Church explains that the congregation originally met outdoors with "green foliage for decorations, rough boards for pews, the canopy of heaven for their lamps."
Nice church , I like how it is done in both brick & shiplap
ReplyDeleteHow very interesting....and it's great that the clarification is now situated for more accuracy. "canopy of heaven for their lamps."....I like that very much.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you find such wonderful history! Tom The Backroads Traveller
ReplyDeleteLinda, it is a beautiful church and thanks for sharing its history! Have a happy day and new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful church! I like church architecture too.
ReplyDeleteThe church architecture here is quite distinctive... and a lot of history, too.
ReplyDeleteThis place certainly has a unique history. Lovely place.
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