Downtown Clayton in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

First Baptist Church of Clayton

1894-1961

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 1, 2026

1. First Baptist Church of Clayton Marker

Inscription.
On September 15, 1894, Clayton residents Robert Taylor, William Taylor, Jefferson Tyler, William Bailey, and Robert Morris, acting as Trustees of the Missionary Baptist Church of Clayton, signed the deed of purchase for this lot to establish a church. The members built a small church, which became the fourth church in Clayton. In 1907, the community built a beautiful brick church on this site. First Baptist Church of Clayton was the center of spiritual and social activities for the Black community of Clayton until October 8, 1961. That Sunday, the charismatic Reverend Rhodes preached his last sermon at First Baptist Church; the parishioners united in their faith marched out of the church, and Reverend Dr. Rhodes locked the doors. The city had rezoned the predominately Black community from residential to commercial. The church was purchased and razed - one of the last brick-and-mortar testaments, that for several generations, a tightly-knit, vibrant Black community existed here.

Erected 2026 by the City of Clayton and the Mayor's Commemorative Landscape Task Force.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is September 15, 1894.

Location. 38° 38.825′ N, 90°

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20.504′ W. Marker is in Clayton, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It is in Downtown Clayton. It is on South Brentwood Boulevard south of Bonhomme Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is across from Shaw Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 230 S Brentwood Blvd, Saint Louis MO 63105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Barry-Wehmiller Pavilion (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Attucks School (approx. 0.3 miles away); City Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Community Remembered (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Hanley Farm, Past and Present (approx. 0.6 miles away); Outdoor Kitchen & Hired Man's Room (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hanley-Clayton Donation Helps Establish the St. Louis County Seat (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clayton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Saint Louis County (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding First Baptist Church of Clayton. Marker was dedicated on April 30, 2026 in a ceremony.

Also see . . . Displaced Black church remembered and honored in Clayton ceremony. NPR article which tells more history about the church (Submitted on May 2, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 1, 2026

2. First Baptist Church of Clayton Marker

reverse side, which shows a picture of the church

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 1, 2026

3. First Baptist Church of Clayton Marker

Looking north on Brentwood Blvd.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 1, 2026

4. First Baptist Church of Clayton Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 2, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.