(Note to readers: On Sept. 15, a special program in memory of the late Mrs. Josephine Christmas Webb was held at Canaan Baptist Church in Appomattox. This article contains an overview of the history of the Canaan School and Church, and Mrs. Webb’s story as the school’s longest tenured teacher.)

Documentation for the “first” Canaan School was 1873. Canaan Colored Baptist Church was established sometime before 1883, according to the following Appomattox County deed:

“This deed made and entered into this 10th day of May 1883 between Charles T. Moses and Mary W., his wife of the one part, and Edward Morgan, George Michaux, and Daniel Scruggs, Sr., trustees of Canaan Colored Baptist Church, Appomattox County, Virginia. Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of fifteen dollars…one acre of land lying in the forks of the road near the New Hope sign board (it being the lot of land upon which there is now situated a Baptist Church)…”

It is likely that the “first” Canaan School and the Canaan Colored Baptist Church, at one time, shared the same building. The church was established on this property before they had a deed to the property.

There’s more to this in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.

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