Del Ray Baptist Church

Did you know a small group of just thirteen people dared to dream of a church in Del Ray? Their vision took root on a Friday night in November 1897, in the humble home of Mr. B.W. Nalls. Del Ray Baptist Church was born from a desire to worship closer to home. The nearest Baptist church was in Alexandria, a considerable trek for this small community of barely a dozen homes. Rev. James H. Butler, pastor of Alexandria’s First Baptist Church, guided the fledgling congregation. Ninety-year-old Rev. James Godwin Council answered the call to lead Del Ray Baptist Church for its first year. Del Ray Baptist Church initially shared space with the Del Ray Methodist Church, holding services twice a month. Later, they moved to a converted carpentry shop, a testament to their resourcefulness. By 1899, Del Ray Baptist Church had acquired an unfinished school building from the Catholic Church, transforming it into their own sanctuary. After Rev. Council’s tenure, ministers from Alexandria and Washington D.C. filled the pulpit until 1901. Then, Rev. Robert Harlan became pastor, preaching two Sundays a month. In 1904, the church boasted 28 members and a thriving Sunday School of 60 attendees. Services were held twice a month. In 1907, under Rev. C. Kelly Hobbs, Del Ray Baptist Church finally held weekly Sunday services. In 1915, Del Ray Baptist Church moved into its first purpose-built church at the corner of Mt. Vernon and Del Ray Avenues. This remained their home for 35 years. The church experienced significant growth during Rev. Dr. Julius Paul Gulley’s leadership from 1941 to 1957. This era saw Del Ray Baptist Church relocate to 105 West Del Ray Avenue in 1950. Under Rev. Gulley, the church also planted two missions: Sunset Hills Baptist Church in 1953 and Virginia Hills Baptist Church in 1957. Del Ray Baptist Church found its current home on Russell Road in 1961. That same year, they co-sponsored a church plant in West Springfield, now known as Westwood Baptist Church. Throughout its history, Del Ray Baptist Church has actively shared the gospel. They supported a Hispanic church from 1987 to 2012 and fostered a Korean ministry that has now become an independent church in Alexandria. They also provided a meeting space for Alexandria Presbyterian Church from 1997 to 2022. In 2007, during a time of financial hardship, Paul Douglas, an Army National Guard Chaplain, stepped in as interim pastor. In 2008, he became the full-time pastor, serving without salary. Del Ray Baptist Church entered into a partnership with Capitol Hill Baptist Church in 2011 for revitalization. In 2012, Garrett Kell, an associate pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, became the full-time pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church, continuing its legacy of faith.