Visit Mt. Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Ansted, West Virginia

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Mount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, the sole African American religious institution in Ansted, served as a center for social life as well as provided for the religious needs of the African American community. Coal mining and railroading jobs brought workers into this part of West Virginia from other parts of the country an the world including many African American laborers. The first African American industrial workers were employed in the region in the early 1870s with the construction of a branch of the C&O Railway and the opening of the Gauley-Kanawha Coal Company in Hawk’s Nest. In 1889, entrepreneurs and investors dissolved that company and created the Gauley Mountain Coal Company (GMCC), shifting coal mining from Hawk’s Nest to nearby Ansted.Consistent with the traditional establishment of African American communities, Ansted residents soon began to address their religious and spiritual needs by congregating in homes for prayer meetings. In October of 1891, a revival took place and approximately twenty candidates were received for baptism. State Missionary Reverend Coleman agreed to administer baptism and organize a church. The community soon petitioned the Gauley Mountain Coal Company to construct a church building. As in many African American communities, the Ansted African American church became the center of the community’s existence. Driving Directions:From Beckley and Fayetteville, WV: Take Highway 19 north to Highway 60. Follow the exit up the ramp and turn right onto Highway 60 West. Travel 6.4 miles to the town of Ansted, WV. As you drive through Ansted, look for a large historic house sitting off the road on the right and immediately turn right onto Page Street. Follow Page Street 3/10 of a mile to Log Town Road and turn left onto Log Town Road. Tour Stop (Mt. Chapel Missionary Baptist Church) is 4/10 of a mile on the left.

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