Riceboro in Liberty County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
First African Baptist Church
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2008
1. First African Baptist Church Marker
The First African Baptist Church, the oldest black church in Liberty County, had its origins in the North Newport Baptist Church, founded in 1809. In 1818 the North Newport Church, composed of both white and black members, purchased this site and erected a church building here which had a gallery for the slave members. In 1854 the North Newport Church moved to Walthourville, but the black members in this area continued to use the old building.
In 1861 the black members formed their own church organization and the first black pastor was the Reverend Charles Thin. On July 20, 1878 the North Newport Church sold the building to A. M. McIver for $225 for use by the First African Baptist Church.
One of the early white pastors of this church was the Reverend Josiah Spry Law to whom a cenotaph was erected here in 1854 by both blacks and whites.
Three other neighboring churches have been formed from the membership of this church: First Zion Baptist Church in 1870, First African Baptist Church of Jones in 1896, and Baconton Baptist Church in 1897.
Erected 1996 by Liberty County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1864.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. "Lest We Forget" (within shouting distance of this marker); Riceborough (approx. 1.4 miles away); Lambert Plantation (approx. 1.6 miles away); Old Post Road (approx. 1.7 miles away); Simon Munro (approx. 2.8 miles away); General James Screven (approx. 3.2 miles away); William Bartram Trail (approx. 3.2 miles away); Woodmanston Plantation (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riceboro.
Also see . . . Reverend Josiah Spry Law. Georgia Baptists: Historical and Biographical By Jesse Harrison ...Page 322-326 (Submitted on July 15, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2008
2. First African Baptist Church Marker, with cenotaph to Reverend Josiah Spry Law, as mentioned
cenotaph - a monument built to honor people whose remains are interred elsewhere or whose remains cannot be recovered
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2008
3. Josiah S. Law cenotaph
Erected here in 1854 by both blacks and whites.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
4. Josiah S. Law cenotaph
" Sacred
To the memory
of the
Rev.Josiah S. Law,
who departed this life
on the
4th day of October 1853
in the 46th year
of his age."
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
5. Josiah S. Law cenotaph
" In commemoration
of
the private virtues
and
public services
of the
Rev. Josiah S. Law."
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,849 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 15, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.
