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The Rise of Industrial America Mount Hope Baptist Church

Mount Hope Baptist Church

Mount Hope Baptist Church is a historic church located in Stafford, Virginia. It was established on October 16, 1880 by Reverend Natus Washington, and the first Sunday school was gathered in 1871. The church was originally worshipped at St. John School House near Brooke, and the Pickle Factory building nearer to the church later became Brooke School. The cornerstone of the church was laid in May 1904, and it was the first area ethnic church to implement worship every Sunday. Fifteen pastors have served the church, and the 10th pastor, Reverend Edward Smith, was an educator, civic and civil rights leader, and instrumental in the local integration movement.

The church has a historical marker that was erected in 2014 by Stafford County. The marker is located on Susies Lane just east of Mount Hope Church Road (County Route 677), and the exact address of the church is 1653 Brooke Road, Stafford VA 22554. The church is listed in the topic lists of African Americans, Churches & Religion, and Civil Rights.