‘18th Century Baptist preacher’ to visit Christ Church
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James Ingram, a historical interpreter with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, will bring the character of Gowan Pamphlet alive in a dramatic presentation next Wednesday, May 19, at Historic Christ Church in Weems.
Ingram’s presentation begins at 7 p.m. and takes place in the church. It is the third in a four-part lecture series titled “From Jamestown to the First Amendment: The Road to Religious Freedom.” The series is sponsored by the Foundation for Historic Christ Church, with support from the Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts and Wells Fargo Advisors. The presentation is free and open to the public, with donations accepted to help cover costs.
Born by 1748, Gowan Pamphlet helped found Williamsburg’s first black Baptist church. Pamphlet was an enslaved man who worked at King’s Arms Tavern in Williamsburg for his owner, Jane Vobe. He started preaching in the 1770s. By the 1780s his congregation had grown to some 200 members; it would later reach 500.
In 1793, Pamphlet earned membership for his church into the Dover Baptist Association, and that same year his new owner David Miller set him free with a deed of manumission in York County. Pamphlet preached until his death in 1807. The church he founded is known today as First Baptist Church on Scotland Street in Williamsburg.
The series’ final lecture will take place on May 26 and feature a debate between Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry on religious freedom and the role of government and taxation in promoting religion in society. Tickets for this event may be reserved by contacting the foundation office at 438-6855.
Visit the Historic Christ Church website for more information.
