Religious Freedom

Religion is an important part of our communities and identity as Americans.

• Under guidance of today’s church community, our archaeology team is working to uncover and identify any structures that may have served as an early meeting space for the congregation that would come to be known as the First Baptist Church. Learn about our First Baptist Church archaeology project and read an update on the first phase of excavation.
• Meet Gowan Pamphlet, the founder of Williamsburg’s First Baptist Church. Read about the journey of this enslaved tavern worker who risked his well-being to preach equality and secretly preach to fellow enslaved and free Black believers, and watch a livestream with Reverand Gowan Pamphlet, interpreted by James Ingram.
• Read about Jefferson’s Bill for Religion Freedom in the Autumn 2018 issue of Trend & Tradition magazine.
• Read about the Let Freedom Ring Foundation and the ringing of the Williamsburg’s First Baptist Church bell in the Winter 2016 issue of Trend & Tradition magazine.