Martin Luther King in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The First Baptist Church

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 16, 2021

1. The First Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. [First plaque]
In recognition of
The First Baptist Church
Chattanooga landmark,
built by ex-slaves,
organized in 1866 by soldiers
who had served in
the Federal army
[Second plaque]
This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Erected 1977 by The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History • The Amoco Foundation, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 35° 2.718′ N, 85° 18.177′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in Martin Luther King. It is at the intersection of East 8th Street and Mabel Street, on the right when traveling east on East 8th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 506 E 8th St, Chattanooga TN 37403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally,

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it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

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: Walden Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Medical Arts Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Presbyterian Church (about 300 feet away); A Point in the Line of Works (about 400 feet away); Caleb Isbester House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Impressions (approx. 0.2 miles away); Martin Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.

Other markers no longer nearby. A point in the 2D Line of Works (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Site of Camp (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named A Point in the Line of Works (was approx. 0.2 miles away

The First Baptist Church Second Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 16, 2021

2. The First Baptist Church Second Marker

but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding The First Baptist Church. The church was organized as Shiloh Baptist Church, and was renamed First Baptist Church sometime in the 1890s. It is now known as First Baptist Church of Chattanooga East 8th Street to differentiate it from another church with a similar name.

Also see . . . First Baptist Church History. History of the church, from its post-Civil War beginning as Shiloh Baptist Church to the present day. (Submitted on October 18, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

The First Baptist Church Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 16, 2021

3. The First Baptist Church Markers

The main marker is just right of the right set of doors, while the National Register plaque is left of the left set of doors.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.