Coan Baptist Church
Also known as: Wicomico Church; VDHR No. 66-86
Why it's listed
Coan Baptist Church is a two-story brick meeting house in rural Northumberland County, Virginia, built between 1846 and 1847 for a congregation then known as Wicomico Church. Measuring about forty-four by seventy feet, it has a pedimented west gable end with a double door, a tripartite window and a semicircular fanlight, plus a nave with side aisles and a U-shaped gallery. At the time of construction the congregation included over 200 African members, and the gallery was likely meant mainly for them. Pastor Addison Hall drew up the plans and supervised members who supplied bricks, lumber and other materials; the cost was 900 dollars. It was the largest church building in the Northern Neck and reflects the Baptist revival of the early nineteenth century. Additions from 1957 and 1975 are set apart from the original block, which keeps much of its early character. Two cemeteries lie nearby, and the congregation still worships there.
Significance in brief: The church is presented as a well-preserved architectural reflection of the Baptist revival that swept Virginia's Northern Neck and Tidewater in the first half of the nineteenth century. It was the largest church building in the Northern Neck when built, with classical motifs and a nave plan typical of Protestant churches of the era. It was designed and supervised by its pastor, Reverend Addison Hall, and built through a cooperative effort of the congregation.
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 95000239, listed March 17, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | VA 638, E of jct. with VA 612, Heathsville |
|---|---|
| County | Northumberland County |
| Listed | March 17, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000239 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1846-1853 |
| Architect / builder | Hall, Reverend Addison |
| Architectural style | Early Republic: Federal; Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious facility with a church school and cemeteries; additions were made in 1957 and 1975, and the original section retains a high degree of integrity. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Coordinates | 37.92532, -76.51393 (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 95000239.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712193
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.