Beaufort in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
First African Baptist Church
Photographed by Jane Ruschky, May 4, 2017
1. First African Baptist Church Marker
This church, founded in 1865, grew out of an antebellum praise house for black members of the Baptist Church of Beaufort. During the Civil War, after the Federal occupation of the town, it hosted a school for freedmen. Rev. Arthur Waddell (1821-1895), its founding pastor, had come to S.C. from Savannah, Ga. In 1867 Rev. Waddell and two black ministers from Savannah formally organized this church.
In 1885 the congregation, with more than 900 members, built this "handsome and commodious" Carpenter Gothic church. Rev. Waddell continued to serve this church until he retired in 1894. At his death in 1895 First African Baptist was described as "one of the most aristocratic colored churches." Robert Smalls (1839-1915), Civil War hero, state legislator, and U.S. Congressman, was its most prominent member.
Erected 2013 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by The Beaufort County Historical Society. (Marker Number 7-40.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 32° 26.064′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry and on the Sea Islands. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Berean Church / J. I. Washington Branch Library (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carteret Street United Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); St. Peter Catholic Church (about 600 feet away); Carnegie Library (about 700
Photographed by Jane Ruschky, May 4, 2017
2. First African Baptist Church Marker
Photographed by Jane Ruschky, May 4, 2017
3. First African Baptist Church Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2017, by Jane Ruschky of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 964 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 5, 2017, by Jane Ruschky of Columbia, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
