An Organization of Baptist churches from DC, MD, & VA that owns the Mt. Bethel Christian Center—one of the largest African American-owned waterfront properties located in King George, Virginia on the East Coast.
The Mt. Bethel Baptist Association was organized in 1875 at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Arlington, Virginia. The first official meeting following the organizational meeting was held at First Baptist Church in Southwest Washington, DC. Rev. J. H. Brooks was elected as the first moderator by the integrated membership. On January 26, 1898, the Trustees of the Mt. Bethel Baptist Association purchased a 75.12 parcel of land from W. W. Owens and his wife Mary in the county of King George, state of Virginia at a cost of six hundred dollars ($600.00). It was recorded in the clerk’s office of King George County on June 25, 1898. The property, known as “Old Folks Home” with its bathing quarters, recreational and boating grounds, timber and a facility structure for overnight sleeping quarters, was paid off in three (3) years after making a one hundred dollar ($100) down payment. Reportedly, John Wilkes Booth crossed the Potomac River and came ashore on Mt. Bethel property when he fled Washington, DC after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln.
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Last Updated: 02/24/2020
