David and Jane James, Part II

We are certain that David was a Baptist, and was a member of the Great Valley Baptist Church. This church, founded in 1711 in Tredyffrin township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, is now known as The Baptist Church in the Great Valley, located at 945 North Valley Forge Road, in Devon, Pennsylvania, (Zip Code 19333). The church was founded by Welsh Baptists, lending credence to the belief that David was from Wales. Until 1722, church services were held in the home of a Radnor Township member. The first log meeting house was built in 1722. In 1805, a stone meeting house replaced the log structure. This building still stands today, and serves as the congregation’s place of worship.

The church history includes two significant contributions to the history of the USA. David Jones, pastor of the church at the time of the American Revolution, was one of the first chaplains in Washington’s army and helped in gathering supplies for the Valley Forge encampment. In the 1830’s, Leonard Fletcher, then pastor, and several members of the church were instrumental in forming the Wilburforce Anti-Slavery Society in the area. The first African-American joined the church in 1762.


The Baptist Church in the Great Valley