Richard Curtis, Jr.
May 28, 1755 - October 28, 1811
— Mississippi's First Baptist Preacher —
Curtis migrated to Cole's Creek in Natchez District from South Carolina in 1780 and encountered Indian attacks, disease and inclement weather. Despite constant obstacles and harassment from the Spanish authorities, in 1791, he helped establish the Salem Church as the first Baptist church in Mississippi on Cole's Creek.
He was forced to leave the Natchez area in 1795 because the Spanish government, which controlled the territory, had outlawed Protestantism. Curtis returned in 1798 after the United States assumed control of the region, and organized Bayou Pierre Baptist Church near Port Gibson. It was the second Mississippi Baptist Church. In 1800, he helped organize Bethel Church in Wilkinson County (no called Woodville Baptist Church) and New Hope Baptist Church in Adams County.
When Curtis died on October 28, 1811, he was seeking medical relief from cancer at a friend's home on Beaver Creek in Amite County. He was buried there. The grave in located a brief distance from Ebenezer Baptist Church near Liberty. Curtis was indeed a committed crusader for religious liberty and Baptist convictions and deserves the accolades of all Mississippi Baptists and other freedom loving Christians.
Erected by Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these
Location. 31° 39.4′ N, 91° 8.156′ W. Marker is in Fayette, Mississippi, in Jefferson County. Marker is on U.S. 61, one mile south of Stampley Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fayette MS 39069, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Woodville Baptist Church (here, next to this marker); Organization of Baptist Churches in Mississippi (a few steps from this marker); Ebenezer Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); Baptist Churches Constituted After Territory Acquired By U.S.A. (a few steps from this marker); The Baptist Record (a few steps from this marker); Mississippi College (a few steps from this marker); Mississippi Baptist Health Systems, Inc. (a few steps from this marker); Baptist Building (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fayette.
More about this marker. Located in the Mississippi Baptist Beginnings roadside display.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2017, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 543 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 19, 2017, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. 2, 3. submitted on July 19, 2017.