Road Closures Scheduled Easter Sunday in Alexandria: Police

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Street closures are scheduled for Easter Sunday in Alexandria, due to a "large scale event at a church in Old Town Alexandria," the Alexandria Police Department said in an announcement Thursday morning.

Last year, police closed down streets in Old Town due to a visit by President Obama and his family to Alfred Street Baptist Church, 301 S. Alfred St. The church, founded in 1803, is led by Rev. Howard-John Wesley. Wesley led a "Black Lives Matter" protest in the City in 2014.

The Obamas have often visited Alexandria during their years in the White House, with visits to Del Ray’s Dairy Godmother, Del Ray Pizzeria, FireFlies and in Old Town at Restaurant Eve, The Majestic, Union Street Public House and Vermilion.

The Obama family visited Cuba this week and are currently visiting Argentina, where the President danced the tango.

See: President Obama and Family Celebrate Easter in Alexandria

Police on Thursday did not say why the streets are closing down Sunday, but the closed streets surround Alfred Street Baptist. The phone went to an answering service at the church Thursday morning.

See: Easter Weekend Weather Forecast in Alexandria

Here's the message from police:

Due to a large scale event at a church in Old Town Alexandria on Sunday, March 27, 2016, the Alexandria Police Department will close or reroute the following streets from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.:

• • Route 1 northbound, from Franklin to Prince will be closed.
  • Duke Street, from Henry to Columbus will be closed.
  • Alfred Street, from Duke to Wolfe will be closed.
  • Northbound traffic coming into Old Town on Route 1 will be diverted onto Franklin Street.
  • Eastbound traffic on Duke Street will be diverted southbound on Route 1.

Parishioners planning to attend church services in the Old Town area on Sunday are encouraged to plan for extra time in traffic and use alternate routes to their place of worship. Parking on some local streets may also be prohibited or limited, please plan ahead.

PHOTO: Alexandria police car/Patch archive photo