I found out about the cemetery online from a list published by Amelia Pryor. I only passed through the area one time on my way to visit an aunt in Richmond but I saw that we had so many family members at rest in the cemetery that I wanted to stop and see it. When I crossed the water from Maryland on highway 301 I decided to find the church. I actually drove to King George and asked for directions and the man who gave me directions told me that his mother had told him that he was kin to the Grimes, imagine that. When I got there and began to look around I did indeed see quite a few family members there. I walked quite far out to the backpart of the lot and there I found the grave of Peyton and Nancy Gray and they were not even on the list that I had.
Lucky for me I had my camera with me. So I can share some photos of this beautiful place which is not only the resting place of so many family members but also a part of our ancestral home.
Stacy Johnston
Little Ark History
The earliest records of the History of The Little Ark Baptist Church begin with the establishment in the year 1876. Little Ark Baptist Church like many African American churches have roots that go back to the times of slavery. In 1876, just 10 years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Antioch Baptist Church in King George, Virginia, under the leadership of Reverend John Fleming, granted permission to a small group of members to form a congregation at the northern end of the county. This birthed the Little Ark Baptist Church. The land upon which the church was founded was purchased from Mr. George Dunlop, at a purchase price of $25.00 per acre. In the same year, the congregation selected its first pastor, the Reverend John Dunlop, he served faithfully for three years. The leadership mantel was carried by both itinerant guides and shepherds, few were formally educated, undeterred they forged on, with a vision and a desire to further educate themselves and serve God as they pleased. A new church was eventually erected after a disastrous fire during Reverend W.H. Hickerson’s pastorate. His pastorate lasted until 1913, a period of 34 years. From 1913 until 1918, the church survived with many interim speakers fulfilling many speaking and preaching events.
Other ministers who accepted the leadership of Little Ark Baptist Church include; Rev. Walter E. Porter, he served for four years. In 1922, it was the beginning of a new era, this began the pastorate of Augustus Lewis. He was a graduate of the Howard University School of Religion, he led this local congregation until the year 1926, The fifth pastor called was Rev. George Carter. He served for 25 years until his death in 1952. During the period of Rev. Carter’s leadership, he called Rev. Dr. John Chapman, as Assistant Pastor in 1951. Dr. Chapman became Pastor on July 9, 1952. and his pastorate spanned over 40 years. Dr. Chapman and Little Ark made major strides to bring major improvements, and membership growth. Dr. Chapman served until his death in 1992.
Rev. Michael T. Bell became the seventh pastor to take the helm of leadership at Little Ark Baptist Church. Dr. Bell was formerly installed to office of Pastor on November 15, 1992. Pastor Bell exemplified a heart of passion to move “The Ark” further with a vision for ministry outside of the sacred walls of Little Ark. He was pastor and servant-leader for six years.
In 1999, God saw the need of His people, and called strong hand to take the helm. The Rev. Dr. Ben Jones along with his First Lady Mary Parnell-Jones received and accepted the command from God to step into the leadership role at Little Ark. Their leadership has continued to take the church where God has destined it to be.
“The Ark”, this “Living Epistle” has been blessed by God with great leaders who help guide it through many storms. In 2006, Little Ark celebrates 130 years of God divine favor upon a people who started from a humble beginning, but with a great vision. That vision is still alive today and carried in the hearts and minds of a community of believers who know that with God all things are possible. “The Ark continues to be a beacon of hope to the community, a lighthouse to the lost and the hopeless who are seeking a place of safety.
