Our Church History

Brief History of High Street Baptist Church

 

Sitting on the hill, High Street Baptist Church is known as the first Black organized church in Danville.  It was organized in 1865.  The church’s motto “Enter to Worship…Depart to Serve” has been the guiding force for the sixteen men of GOD who pastored the church.  These men served High Street Baptist Church through not only the prosperous years, but through some difficult times as well.

 

These great men were:

 

¨ Rev. Harrison Scott

¨ Rev. J. W. Patterson

¨ Rev. H.H. Mitchell

¨ Rev. J.L. Barksdale

¨ Rev. W.T. Hall

¨ Rev. Samuel Moses

¨ Rev. W.A. Nowlin

¨ Rev. W.T. Hall

¨ Rev. P.W. Price

¨ Rev. Lowell P. Mitchell

¨ Rev. C. Howard Owens

¨ Rev. Lendell W. Chase

¨ Rev. Garnett W. Johnson

¨ Rev. Jerome B. Morris, Sr.

¨ Rev. Voight F. Hairston

¨ Rev. Michael Pritchett (current)

 

This historic church was organized by a few ex-slaves in an old hospital situated on a hill in the southern section of Danville known as “Hospital Hill.”  The Lord enabled the church to prosper and it became necessary to seek a larger building in which to worship and a permanent home for spiritual development. Members began holding services in a warehouse located on the corner of Union and High Streets.

 

Desirous of a church of their own, the members built on property donated to them by one of their faithful members, Patrick Wilson.  The site donated to them is the place where High Street stands today and from which the church gets its name.

 

In the early years, the church was completely destroyed twice by fire.  Each time the members united and rebuilt not only the structure but rededicated their lives to the work of GOD.

 

Church members who were master brick masons and skilled carpenters built the brick structure.  Some were deacons and officers of the church.  These artisan leaders gave of their money, talents and time. High Street membership believed in principles and actions that would foster a better tomorrow.  In 1963, the church opened its doors to the Danville Civil Rights Movement and served as headquarters to accommodate most of the meetings, day and night.  The proximity of the church to downtown and the government buildings made it a perfect location.

 

The Danville movement was an outgrowth of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.  Reverend Lendell W. Chase was the pastor at that time.  He, along with a committee of other pastors, their families, and citizens of the community, left the church daily, to join in the demonstrations after being fed and instructed on proper decorum for marching. Many were arrested, jailed and humiliated for their participation, including the pastor and his wife.

 

The movement was strongly resisted by the Danville City Council, the Police Department and the sitting Judge of the Circuit Court (Judge Aikens.)  Therefore, the movement received national news coverage.

 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. found it necessary to lend his support to the cause and came to High Street, along with many other people of all races and professions to fight for freedom and equality. Attorney William Kunstler from New York, Congressman John Conyers from Detroit, Dr. Wyatt T. Walker and the then young Marian Berry of Washington, DC joined in the fight, meeting here in the High Street Baptist Church.

 

The church overflowed nightly with people from all walks of life to listen to speeches and songs that kept the spirit of the movement in the hearts and minds of the people.

 

In the same year, 1963, the Danville City Council opposed the fight for Civil Rights and attempted to condemn the church building in order to discourage the movement. Policemen broke down the front doors of the church and the door to the pastor’s study, looking for out-of-town demonstrators.

 

It has always been the belief of the membership that “…Upon this solid rock we built this church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18

 

Even today, the members believe that the church is more than bricks and mortar, but it is a collection of faith-rich individuals who share a love for GOD.  Therefore, they have exhibited the magnificent Grace of our Lord in making meaningful contributions to our community and society.

 

After barriers of segregation were removed, many members became trailblazers in all walks of life. They succeeded in the fields of Law, Education, Medicine, Writing and Entrepreneurship, as well as became CEOs and Presidents of Companies and leaders in the Armed Forces.

 

As one result of the movement, Gregory Swanson was the first Black to enter the Law School of the University of Virginia; Charles H. Harris was the first Black to be elected to Danville City Council (1968 – 1988) and the first Black Mayor of Danville (1980); Attorney Ruth Charity, the first Black female elected to Danville City Council; members have served as Assistant Superintendents of School Systems; Principals of newly integrated schools, Assistants to the State Attorney General and as champions of Fair Housing.

 

On June 7, 1995, the church was badly damaged once again, but this time by a high windstorm. The church was fully insured, and the Church Restoration began immediately. The worship services were held in the Chapel of Cunningham and Hughes Funeral Home for seventeen and a half months. GOD blessed the membership to return to the restored building on December 8, 1996.

 

In October of 2008, we approached a new milestone in our church history as we dedicated our new annex.  The annex captures the history, dedication, and generosity of many families in High Street Baptist Church.

 

As we strive to bring souls to Christ, the church continues to be a strong force in the community in the face of the many crises in our world today.  High Street continues to expend great effort to advance human causes.

 

The High Street Baptist Church membership remembers the past, but with a Christian vision for the future. As we endeavor to fulfill our Christian mission, we are reminded of Proverbs 29:18 – “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

 

We continue to be inspired by our past and anticipate our future. Great is the Lord’s faithfulness to our church family.  The 160th Church Anniversary was celebrated in October of 2025.

 

We Enter to Worship and listen attentively to the Spiritual guidance of our pastor and Depart to Serve others as we strive to emulate Christ in our lives.