Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Central Baptist Church

1888-89

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Central Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Congregation formed in 1883 under the leadership of the Rev. L.T. Christmas who raised the funds to erect this building five years later. Much of the construction work was done by church members. It is the oldest African-American Baptist church building in the city. The bell tower, damaged by Hurricane Hazel was removed in 1954.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 34° 14.492′ N, 77° 56.47′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is at the intersection of Red Cross Street and North 7th Street, on the left when traveling west on Red Cross Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 702 Red Cross St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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 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: Bowdoin-Moore House (within shouting distance of this marker); Foster F. Burnett House (within shouting distance of this marker); Kennedy-Forehand House

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Kay House (about 300 feet away); Morris-Bailey House (about 300 feet away); Schnibben-Delta Sigma Theta Sorority House (about 300 feet away); Wehrhahn House (about 300 feet away); Telfair House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Wilmington Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this property and was listed in 1974. (Prepared by Survey and Planning Unit, North Carolina Division of Archives and History; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on December 22, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Wilmington Historic District Boundary Expansion and Additional Documentation (PDF). National Register nomination that expanded the district in 2003. (Prepared by Sherry Joines Wyatt and L. Robbie King; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on December 22, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. A Statement of Facts Concerning the Bloody Riot in Wilmington, N.C.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

2. Central Baptist Church Marker

Rev. J. Allen Kirk, then pastor of Central Baptist Church, wrote this eyewitness account of white supremacists' bloody coup d'état of the city's multiracial government in 1898. (J. Allen Kirk; via Documenting the American South project, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Libraries) (Submitted on December 22, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 228 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 19, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.