History of Alfred Street Baptist Church
Beginning in 1776, America achieved independence from Great Britain. Freedom of Religion was added to the Bill of Rights and Thomas Jefferson later became our 3rd US President. With freedom of religion, the Baptist faith soon spread from Rhode Island into the South, including the State of Virginia.

Baptists in Alexandria, Virginia separated from the Backlick Baptist Church on Little River Turnpike, to form the Alexandria Baptist Society. Susan Black, a Negro slave was baptized as its first Colored member in May 1803. During this time Coloreds were invited to join this organizing group. In 1806, the Colored members formally established the Colored Baptist Society of Alexandria as a ‘conjoined’ church with the Alexandria Baptist Society. This created the first black Baptist church north of Richmond, Virginia. In 1815, its numbers grew when slaves from Mount Vernon Plantation join the Colored Baptist Society.

During 1818, members of the Colored Baptist Society were able to rent property at 313 South Alfred Street to have their meetings. They rented from the Lawasons who were members of the Alexandria Baptist Society. Our Church has worshipped on this same site since 1818. In the 1820s Rev. William Evans assumed leadership/pastoral role of the Colored Baptist Society. The Coloreds were not allowed to worship without a White person present so we continued to be conjoined with the Alexandria Baptist Society.

But in 1823, Alexandria Baptist Society (white) granted privilege to Negroes to open their meeting house for worship on Sundays at 313 South Alfred Street. On September 1, 1842 members of the Colored Baptist Society purchased the site on Alfred Street after 18 years of leasing. In 1850, the Colored Baptist Society was granted complete independence from ‘conjoined’ Alexandria Baptist Church (white) and adopted the Alexandria Baptist Church’s Constitution. Membership of the newly independent Colored assembly stood at 83 persons.

In 1842 the Alfred Street property was purchased and the name was changed to African Baptist Society. The property has been owned by the church since that time. The first known building constructed by the congregation was built in 1855. The Church had 200 members, and changed its name to the First African Baptist Church. The Church paid off the mortgage on new building in two years.

In 1859 Rev. Sampson White arrived as first ‘bona fide’ Negro minister/pastor at the First African Baptist Church. In 1861 the Civil War began in April and the First African Baptist Church was taken over by Union Soldiers Army, for an indefinite period, and used as a hospital and a recruiting station. Worship services went ‘underground’ for Colored and white churches.

In 1863 Rev. Madden, who had received a commission from the Executive Mansion (White House) as Union Chaplain, arrived as the new pastor at First African Baptist Church, replacing Rev. Sampson White who resigned. The Civil War ended two years later and all slaves were freed under the 13th Amendment. The Senior Choir was started and Poor Saints offering was instituted. The church attracted prominent members such as Dr. Harvey Johnson, who was ordained and became a prominent minister in Baltimore. Mr. George Seaton, a Deacon from First African Baptist, built two schools, one for Negro boys and one for Negro girls. He also served in the Virginia State Legislature and on the city council.

In the 1870s the Church changed its name from First Colored Baptist Church to Alfred Street Baptist Church. Tremendous growth was experienced with the new pastor and in 1880 the membership at Alfred Street reached a high of almost 800 members. A larger edifice was constructed, without foundation, between 1881 and 1884. This building stands today as the "old church". Rev. Madden passed in 1896 after 33 years as pastor.

Rev Alexander Truatt was called as the new pastor 1896. A basement was dug and a foyer was added in 1897. In 1913 Rev. Truatt resigned as pastor after 17 years. In 1914, Rev. W.H.R Powell became the new pastor. The Federal Government finally paid Alfred Street $900 for its use in the Civil War in 1915. In 1917 Rev. Powell built a parsonage but departed after five years later in 1920.

In 1920 Rev. Andrew Warren Adkins arrived as the new Pastor. His focus was on education and building strong relationships with the congregation. Alfred Street opened a “Lending Library” in the church with 1,600 volumes to serve the Colored community of Alexandria. In 1921 Rev. Adkins founded the Parker Gray High School and began teaching the first high school classes there; previously there were no high schools for Negroes in the city.

Several new ministries started – Lending Library, Junior Church, Pastor’s Aide, first Women’ Day, Junior Choir, Men’s Department, the Young & Adult Choir and the Male Chorus. A pipe organ, stained glass windows and hardwood pews were added in 1926, 1928 and 1941 respectively. In 1963 Rev. Adkins passed after 43 years as pastor; Deacon William Willis, our current Senior Deacon, served as church administrator for 14 months.

In 1983, there was a major influx of Maryland residents and 10 new Deacons were ordained to keep up with growth. In 1984 the new 8 AM Sunday Service started. In 1985 the Church budget was $300,000 and membership was up to 1,200 persons. This growth required planning for an even larger sanctuary and therefore Rev. Peterson appointed an Expansion, Parking and Renovation Committee to study the need. In 1984, the church embarked on a “Sister Church” relationship with Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. This relationship was a spiritual exchange with fellowship, pulpit exchanges, correspondence and other shared experiences. In addition, our pastor, Rev. Peterson organized and participated in international meetings, preached and conducted revivals in Africa, the Caribbean, U.S.S.R., the Middle and Far East.

In 1991, Rev. Peterson ordained nine female Deacons from among the Deaconess Board and disbanded the Deaconess Board. In 1992 the Church began construction to enlarge the church complex. In 1993 the Church established a “Policy and Procedure Committee’ and the ‘Budget Process Committee’ to revise existing church policies. In 1994 the March-In Ceremony to the current church complex was held and 40 nights of dedication followed.

In 2000, as the new century was ushered in, President William J. Clinton attended our 8AM worship service. In 2001, the Church celebrated Homecoming after a 40 year hiatus and also burned the mortgage during its 198th Church Anniversary. From 2000 to 2003, new Ministries began to keep pace with the times – Young Adult Ministry (YAM) was created for those 18 years to 30-something; HIV AIDS Ministry was created to educate on HIV AIDS; Recovery Ministry was created for those needing counseling in substance abuse; Helping Hands (now Caregivers) Ministry was created by the first lady of the church, Mrs. Joyce Peterson to assist caregivers, especially targeting Alzheimer’s caregivers.

In 2003, the church celebrated its Bicentennial with a year long celebration. History was presented through historical tours and displays; an Anniversary quilt was made, and a historical marker was presented by the state of Virginia.

A book, "I Once Was Young" was published that detailed the history of Alfred Street Baptist Church. An Evangelism campaign, as well as, a major community outreach, "We Are Our Brother’s Keeper", was held. A breakfast honored our "50 year' members and "100 year" families and a "24 Hour Day of Prayer" was begun. A Bicentennial Musical Extravaganza, Bicentennial Dinner, and a special worship service, ended this celebration.

On February 26, 2006, Rev. John O. Peterson announced his retirement, effective the end of that year. His tenure brought great growth in the church in the number of congregants, ministries, programs, the operating budget, programs and in Alfred Street Baptist Church’s visibility to the world.

For the first time in 43 years, a Pulpit Committee was selected by the ASBC congregation to search for ASBC’s eighth pastor. In December of 2008, Rev. Dr. Faye S. Gunn was accepted by the congregation to serve as the Interim Pastor until the new pastor was found. On February 26, 2008, Rev. Dr. Howard John-Wesley was elected by 92 percent of the congregation and was installed as the eighth Pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church on September 28, 2008.

Rev. Wesley’s preaching and teaching has made quite an impact on the life of ASBC. Approximately 800 persons have joined the church and a third weekly worship service was added in October, 2009 to accommodate the surge in membership. A new ministry, Come As You Are (CAYA), a new radical monthly service geared towards young adults, ages 21 – 40, has made a tremendous impact on young adults.

Our Pastors have been Rev. William Evans (1806-1859), Rev. Sampson White (1859-1863), Rev. Samuel Madden (1863-1896), Rev. Alexander A. Truatt (1896-1913), Rev. W.H.R. Powell (1914-1919), Rev. Andrew Warren Adkins (1920-1963), and Rev. John O. Peterson, Sr. (1964-2006) and Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley (2008 – Present). Alfred Street has licensed and/or ordained several to the gospel ministry. Among them are Rev. Robert E. King, Rev. Dr. Elbert Ransom, Jr., Revs. Doris Wyatt Ashton & James P. Ashton; Rev. Albert F. Blue, Rev. Dr. Faye S. Gunn, Rev. Robert L. Easter, Rev. Minnie D. Davis, Rev. Samuel Nixon, the late Minister Carl H. Hall, Rev. Edward Y. Jackson, Minister Kevin C. Norton, Minister Mary M. Murphy, Rev. Beverly Moses, Rev. Marla C. Hawkins, Minister Kristopher Futrell, Minister Dustin Sullivan and Minister Roslyn Brock. Alfred Street was the first Black church in Virginia to license women to preach, and among the first to ordain women as deacons. Other ministers, who are members of this church, are Rev. Emmett Dunn, Rev. Emmanuel Goatley, Rev. Delton Nichols, and Ministers Annette Magee and Julienne Powell.