September 12, 2025
The Hampden-Sydney community gathered at Mercy Seat Baptist Church, just steps from campus, on September 6 to reflect on the shared history between the church and the College.
The two institutions hold a special bond, with several of Hampden-Sydney’s well-known employees—such as Stokes Brown and Reginald Smith—having close ties to Mercy Seat, a connection honored through this moving commemoration as a part of the College’s 250th anniversary commemorations.
Several community leaders and representatives attended as members of the community heard remarks from Elliott Professor of History Caroline Emmons, Dean of Culture and Community Desiree Nicholson, Executive Director of the Moton Museum Cainan Townsend, and Elizabeth Baker Starling, researcher and creator of the “Untold Story” exhibit and website. Reflecting on themes of community, remembrance, and resilience, Nicholson and Townsend highlighted the enduring connections between the College, the surrounding community, and Mercy Seat, while Starling highlighted the contributions of numerous individuals and families within the Mercy Seat community to the College and the surrounding community—including College employees John Evans, Sam Brown, and Stokes Brown, as well as the Randolph family, whose members have worked at the College for more than 100 years.
“I feel confident in proposing that without the centuries of contributions from members of the Mercy Seat community, Hampden-Sydney College would not be what it is today,” Starling said. “I am so grateful that the College has continued researching its Black history, so these stories no longer need to be considered untold.”
One memorable story involved Reginald Smith, a Mercy Seat Church trustee and longtime College employee whose portrait hangs in Crawley Forum. Louis Basten ’65, who served with Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire & Rescue as a student, recounted the incident; Charlie Christ ’66, who was present at the ceremony, was also present during the incident. When a fire broke out at Mercy Seat in 1962, the Hampden-Sydney volunteers rushed to the church to help contain the flames. Under the leadership of then-fire chief Jim Henderson, who was also in attendance at the event, the Hampden-Sydney team worked to save the church until additional fire departments arrived to provide support.
“Reginald Smith, at first when we arrived, was frantically pointing in panic toward where the fire was, but afterwards, he had seen that the church had been saved,” Basten said. “He had his hands raised, praising the Lord and thanking the Hampden-Sydney volunteers for saving Mercy Seat.”
Speaking to the students present, Basten continued to reflect on the lasting impact of that day and the importance of community: “Always remember that you are part of this community, that this church is part of it, and that it is a part of who we are.”
The Hampden-Sydney College Chorus, performing an arrangement of “Amazing Grace,” set the stage for Mr. Christ’s reflections on his close connection to Reginald Smith during his time at the College. Christ spoke of the friendship he developed and the profound influence Smith had on him while working at the College shop: “Reginald Smith became my friend, my confidant, my guide, my mentor, and my role model. He was a good man. He was a good citizen. He embodies what Hampden-Sydney strives to instill in its students. He was loved and respected by everyone at Hampden-Sydney, both faculty and students alike.”
Following Christ’s reflections, the event’s keynote speaker, Ralph Smith, son of Reginald Smith and current councilman for Manassas, Virginia, addressed the audience. A native of Prince Edward County, Smith became a passionate advocate for justice after witnessing the closure of the county’s public schools during his youth. He participated in peaceful protest marches, joined Freedom Summer initiatives to register voters and teach at freedom schools across the South, and attended high schools in multiple states before graduating in Kentucky.
In his address, Smith spoke about the relationship between Hampden-Sydney and his father, sharing examples of how the College influenced their upbringing and family life, and reflecting on the impact of the College’s founding principles on him and his family.
“My father often emphasized to my brother and me the importance of treating others as we would like to be treated and of behaving as a gentleman at all times,” Smith said. “Every Hampden-Sydney man and woman would know that this is part of the Hampden-Sydney Honor Code. My father respected it, and he expected his children to live by it.”
Smith also reflected on the challenges he faced growing up and working to help reopen the public schools, navigating frustration and anger along the way. While he expressed gratitude to Hampden-Sydney for their support throughout his life, he noted that his interaction with Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose words profoundly influenced him, remained a guiding force throughout his life.
“The man was everything you ever heard him to be, and he won me over,” Smith said. “We made eye contact, and we shook hands. He said, ‘You’re doing a good thing. Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.’”
Smith was presented with a photo of his father, described as “Mercy Seat all in all,” who devoted himself to the church as superintendent, Sunday School custodian, land keeper, and in many other roles—serving both the church and the wider community to the highest degree.
Closing the ceremony, President Larry Stimpert emphasized the need to continue progressing and growing as a community, reflecting on how far society has come and encouraging the good men and good citizens of Hampden-Sydney to contribute to the formation of a more perfect union.
“Change for the sake of freedom, justice, and liberty—change to fulfill the promise of a society founded on the principle that all men are created equal. This is change for a good, noble, and righteous cause. This is the kind of change led by good men and good citizens.”
As the Hampden-Sydney and Mercy Seat communities continue to maintain strong ties, their shared history will not be forgotten, and the legacy of resilience and mutual support will endure. This lasting connection serves as a testament to the impact of generations who have contributed to the College and Mercy Seat Baptist Church, inspiring current and future members of the community to honor that history through continued engagement, reflection, and service to one another.