Beulah Baptist Church
Also known as: Dhr#100-5015-0002
Why it's listed
Beulah Baptist Church, at 320 South Washington Street in Alexandria, is a brick church built in 1863. Its front gable is parapeted, with a large stained-glass window above the entrance, recessed brick panels, and small brick pinnacles at the facade corners. The roof was raised at least twice, and a rear addition dates to 1920-1923. The church was organized by the Reverend Clem Robinson, an educated minister who had been barred from returning to Virginia until Federal troops occupied Alexandria. It was the first church organized in the city after that occupation. Alongside worship, the congregation ran schools for formerly enslaved people, called contrabands, including primary, normal and theological, and evening classes taught in the basement and a rear building. Enrollment reached 715 in the first year. The schools closed after the public school system formed in 1870 and Robinson retired in 1875. The congregation also helped newcomers find shelter, work and clothing. The church remains an active congregation.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is significant for its role in African American ethnic heritage and education. It was the first church organized in Alexandria after Federal occupation in 1861 and housed the city's first contraband school. It is one of the few remaining sites tied to contraband education in the city.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 03001424, listed January 16, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 320 S. Washington St., Alexandria (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Alexandria |
| Listed | January 16, 2004 |
| Reference number | 03001424 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1863-1953 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Black, Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a religious facility; current function is listed as religion/church school. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Alexandria Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.80402, -77.04723 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 03001424.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4899254
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.