Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

First African Baptist Church

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, April 28, 2019

1. First African Baptist Church Marker

Inscription.
First African Baptist Church (FABC) traces its roots to 1773 and the organization of a congregation at nearby Brampton Plantation by Rev. George Leile. Under the leadership of Rev. Andrew C. Marshall (3rd pastor), the congregation obtained this property. Constructed of Savannah Grey brick by congregants, both free and enslaved, the current building was completed in 1859. Rev. Emanuel K. Love (6th pastor), an advocate for African-American education and civil rights, was instrumental in establishing today's Savannah State University. Rev. Dr. Ralph Mark Gilbert (13th pastor) was a prominent leader of the NAACP and the revival of the Savannah chapter in the 1940s. U.S. Representative Adam Clayton Powell of Harlem and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are among the noteworthy speakers hosted here. FABC is one of the oldest continuously operating African-American churches in North America.
Erected by the Georgia Historical Society
and First African Baptist Church
2017.4 • 25-56

Erected 2017 by Georgia Historical Society and First African Baptist Church. (Marker Number 25-56.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is

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listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1773.

Location. 32° 4.879′ N, 81° 5.757′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. It is at the intersection of West Bryan Street and Montgomery Street, on the left when traveling west on West Bryan Street. Marker is located beside the walkway near the northwest corner of Savannah's Franklin Square, overlooking the subject church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23 Montgomery Street, Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles.

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.

First African Baptist Church Marker (<i>wide view; marker visible in front of church at left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, April 28, 2019

2. First African Baptist Church Marker (wide view; marker visible in front of church at left)

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: A different marker also named The First African Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); Haitian Monument (a few steps from this marker); Jonathan Bryan (within shouting distance of this marker); John Ryan's Excelsior Bottle Works (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Scarbrough House (about 400 feet away); The First Act of Alcohol Prohibition in America (about 500 feet away); Evacuation of Savannah (about 500 feet away); The Montmollin Building and Bryan School (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. First African Baptist Church

Also see . . . The Oldest Black Church in North America. First African Baptist Church website homepage:
First African Baptist Church (1773) is

First African Baptist Church (<i>front detail</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, April 28, 2019

3. First African Baptist Church (front detail)

older than the United States (1776). In May of 1775 Rev. Leile was ordained as the pastor and December of 1777 the church was officially constituted as a body of organized believers. In 1782, rather than risk reenslavement, Pastor Leile left with the British when Savannah was evacuated and migrated to Jamaica. (Submitted on April 28, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

First African Baptist Church<br>(<i>stained glass detail</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, April 28, 2019

4. First African Baptist Church
(stained glass detail)

Rev. George Leile
Our Founder & First Pastor
1775-1782

First African Baptist Church (<i>northeast corner view</i>) image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, April 28, 2019

5. First African Baptist Church (northeast corner view)

Savannah’s History: First African Baptist Church:
Welcome to Savannah website entry
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 664 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 28, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.