The congregation was founded in the 1770s as a non-denominational group of free and enslaved African-Americans, and became officially Baptist in 1781, led by Gowan Pamphlet, an ordained slave.

[2] At the time of its founding, African-Americans could not own property; a structure was instead provided for them on the land of a white tradesman, Jesse Cole, with the understanding that it would be used as a place of worship.

[2] John M. Dawson was the pastor for over forty-five years and was also a Virginia state senator between 1874 and 1877 during the Reconstruction Era.

Upon the new church's completion, the old would be demolished, furthering the Foundation's goal of restoring the historic area of Williamsburg to its late colonial appearance.

This bell was restored in 2016 and rung by President Barack Obama at the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.