“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. And the congregation says?” was greeted by a chorus of “Amen” as the Rev. Ward Warren of First Baptist Church, Ordinary, began his church’s 150th anniversary service on Sunday.

The congregation, which has worshipped independently since 1867, was joined by members of Williamsburg’s First Baptist Church and their pastor, Dr. Reginald Davis, and two other reverends.

The celebration focused heavily on the church’s rich history as the third oldest black church in Gloucester County. Doves were released before the service in remembrance of church members who had passed away, both in the past year and throughout the church’s 150-year history.

The observance included a living history performance specifically relating to July 27, 1867 when former slaves left Providence Baptist Church to form their own congregation. This congregation would later become First Baptist Church.

In his opening ...