Franconia Baptist Church

Did Franconia Baptist Church always stand here in Alexandria? No. The story of Franconia Baptist Church begins on Beulah Road, also in Alexandria, over 150 years ago. In 1870, a group of believers established Beulah Baptist Church, formally adopting their covenant on November 10th. They called Rev. B.P. Dulin as their pastor in 1873. The church thrived under his leadership, growing steadily and emphasizing membership and discipline. Fast forward to 1957. Beulah Baptist Church purchased land at the corner of South Van Dorn Street and Franconia Road. A new building was constructed, and a part of the Beulah congregation relocated to this new location. They established a new covenant and a new name: Franconia Baptist Church. Dr. C.L. Bishop guided them as their pastor. This is the very spot where Franconia Baptist Church stands today. Interestingly, the Franconia Baptist Church property played a role in education. In 1966, the church grounds became the home of the newly chartered Luther Rice College. Dr. C.L. Bishop, pastor of Franconia Baptist, also served as the college’s president. The college, which opened its doors to students in 1967, focused on theological, ministry, and liberal arts education. It eventually relocated to another site in Alexandria. Franconia Baptist Church continued its mission under different leaders. Nick Roark served as pastor from 2015 to 2022. In May 2022, David Fullerton became the senior pastor. Franconia Baptist Church stands today as a testament to its long history and commitment to its community. It remains a vibrant, diverse community of believers, dedicated to sharing the Gospel locally and globally. They partner with other churches to spread their message. Franconia Baptist Church proudly continues its legacy as a beacon of faith in Northern Virginia and beyond. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. If you want to delve even deeper into the rich history of this church, I encourage you to visit the Franconia Museum.