Jennie Dean

Born into slavery, Jennie Dean, became a leader in the local African American community after the Civil War. Securing land to construct Mt. Calvary Church she also helped found Prosperity Chapel in Loudoun County, Catharpin Chapel also near her home, and finally Dean-Divers Chapel. Dean founded the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth in 1893, which for more than four decades was the only institution of secondary education available to African American youth in Northern Virginia, and one of only two in the state without overt religious affiliation. Dean died at her home near Haymarket in 1913 and is buried in the Mount Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery. Today a historic marker is located next to the church cemetery where Jennie Dean is buried.