Antioch Baptist Church of Saluda will dedicate a state historical highway marker on Saturday, August 3, at noon. The ceremony will take place at the church, 159 Oakes Landing Road in Saluda.

Established in 1866, Antioch is recognized as the oldest African-American church in Middlesex County and one of four founding churches of the Southside Rappahannock Baptist Association. The Virginia Board of Historic Resources approved the marker in June 2022.

The dedication program will include historical reflections by Dr. Leonard L. Edloe, pastor of New Hope Fellowship in Hartfield. Musical performances will feature soprano Mary Ann Holmes, a triple great-granddaughter of William Corr, one of

Antioch’s founding trustees, and the Southside Rappahannock Baptist Association Choir directed by Marcellus Dungee.

The Rev. Fred D. Holmes Jr., originally from King and Queen County, has served as Antioch’s pastor for nearly 54 years.

The Middlesex Museum & Historical Society and Antioch Baptist are co-sponsoring the highway marker. Following the dedication, the marker will be unveiled in front of the Middlesex historic courthouse at 865 General Puller Highway, with a reception to follow on the courthouse green.

The event is open to the public and will be livestreamed on Antioch’s Facebook page. For additional information, call (804) 651-8753.