Brandy Station - African American Presence

Historic site
Viewable from the road
Location
Shiloh Baptist Church, 15055 Stevensburg Road, Brandy Station, VA 22701

Shiloh Baptist Church

For most of its history, inhabitants called this town Brandy, but the railroad played an important role in its economic development. While most known for the famous Civil War cavalry engagement fought there, it had its heyday in the latter half of the nineteenth century. It supported considerable industries, including lumber and flour milling, blacksmithing; wheel, broom, and soap making, and it boasted five stores and three taverns. African Americans worked in and supported these businesses. They established Shiloh Baptist Church in 1867 and built a sanctuary on former battlefield land donated by free black tavern owner Willis Madden. Samuel Gordon served only a short time and the congregation found a powerful leader in Rev. Leland Waring, who had himself known slavery. He served twenty-four years. During Dillard Johnson’s tenure, which followed, the congregation built a larger church in 1897. Still in use today, it is the oldest surviving black church in Culpeper. The next two pastors, James C. Colbert and John J. Jackson, were born and raised in Culpeper and were both known for their kindness and integrity. African American children in Brandy attended the first Brandy School in 1891; the third school, which had multiple classrooms, is located on Route 663 and is used as a residence.

Resources

Shiloh Baptist Church 135th Anniversary Booklet, April 25, 1999.