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

First African Baptist Church

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, February 19, 2011

1. First African Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Organized November 1866, with 144 members. The Rev. Prince Murrell, first pastor, served until 1885. A church building located at corner of 4th Street and 24th Avenue was purchased and became place of worship during pastorate of the Rev. James Mason, 1885-1891. Resolution passed in this church 1873 resulted in establishment of Selma University, Selma, Alabama.

Present structure erected 1907 under leadership of the Rev. J. H. Smith. Church annex completed and adjoining property purchased during pastorate of the Rev. W. B. Shealey, 1952-1957. Education building and new parsonage constructed during term of the Rev. T. Y. Rogers, Jr., 1963-1971.

Erected 1975 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 33° 12.292′ N, 87° 34.233′ W. Marker is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in Tuscaloosa County. It is at the intersection

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of Stillman Boulevard and Ty Rogers Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Stillman Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2621 Stillman Boulevard, Tuscaloosa AL 35401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 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: A different marker also named First African Baptist Church (here, next to this marker); Greenwood Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tuscaloosa Confederate Monument (about 300 feet away); St. John The Baptist Catholic Church (about 800 feet away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tuscaloosa First United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Lynching in America / Lynching in Tuscaloosa County

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, February 19, 2011

2. First African Baptist Church Marker

(approx. ¼ mile away); Tushkalusa (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuscaloosa.

First African Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, February 19, 2011

3. First African Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,439 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 20, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.