Decatur in Morgan County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

First Missionary Baptist Church

Photographed by Tim Carr, February 20, 2010

1. First Missionary Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Led by first pastor Alfred Peters, 21 members organized this church on April 22, 1866, in the home of Sister Jane Young. Services were first held in a storefront building on the banks of the Tennessee River. In 1873 First Missionary purchased a church building from a Methodist congregation on the corner of Market and Canal Streets, NE and used the building as their place of worship until 1919. At this time Dr. Sterrs, S.S. Sykes, and G.F. Oliver secured a $1460 loan to purchase the present property where St. Ann’s Catholic Church was once located. The present church was designed by prominent African American architect W. A. Rayfield in 1921 and constructed for $1250. The building underwent renovations in 1984 and a $260,000 educational wing was added in 1989-90. First Missionary was built through the efforts of professionals, craftsmen, and donations of “nickels and dimes."

Erected by Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 22, 1866.

Location. 34° 36.87′ N, 86° 59.304′ W. Marker

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is in Decatur, Alabama, in Morgan County. It is at the intersection of Vine Street Northwest and Grove Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north on Vine Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Decatur AL 35601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

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: Old Town Historic District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); African American Heritage in Old Town Decatur, Alabama (about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Daisy Nolan (about 700 feet away); King's Memorial United Methodist Church (about 700 feet away); Old Decatur Historic District / Historic Depot (about 700 feet away); First Railroad (about 700 feet away); “An Affair Most Important to Us” - The Federal Right, October 27-28, 1864 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Parker-Hayes Boarding House and Tourist Home (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.

Photographed by Tim Carr, February 20, 2010

2. First Missionary Baptist Church Marker

First Missionary Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, February 20, 2010

3. First Missionary Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,916 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 20, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 2, 3. submitted on February 21, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.