<h1>America's oldest Black church rebuilt on original 1805 foundation after archaeological discovery reveals 62 graves</h1> A ceremonial groundbreaking begins reconstruction of one of America's oldest Black churches in Virginia. The congregation first established itself in 1776, meeting secretly outdoors before building a wooden meetinghouse around 1805. The original structure was destroyed by a tornado in 1834, and the site later became a parking lot when acquired by a living history museum in 1956. Recent archaeological excavations uncovered the original foundation and 62 graves. The museum is now rebuilding the 16-foot by 32-foot structure at its original location to better represent Black history and the experiences of the congregation, which included both free and enslaved members who comprised over half of the area's 18th-century population.