Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

First African Baptist Church

Photographed by David Seibert, May 1, 2011

1. First African Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. The initial congregation of this church was formed by slaves who had attended Ephesus Baptist Church (later First Baptist), since its organization on February 14, 1829. When a new church was built in 1840 the slaves worshipped in the older building. White ministers served the African Baptist Church until 1862 when Rev. Harry Watson became the first black minister. The church was granted a site at Eleventh Street and Sixth Avenue by the Georgia General Assembly but moved to its current location at a cost of $75,000 in 1915. It was renamed First African Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. J. H. Smith.

Erected 1994 by Historic Chattahoochee Commission and First African Baptist Church.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1978.

Location. 32° 27.78′ N, 84° 59.18′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. It is at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Ninth Street, on the left when traveling north on Fifth Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 Fifth Avenue, Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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: Ninth Street Branch YMCA (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Friendship Baptist Church

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(about 500 feet away); “Ma" Rainey Home (about 600 feet away); Temple Israel (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Spencer House (approx. 0.2 miles away); “Columbus Stockade Blues” (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. James AME Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Holsey Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Photographed by David Seibert, May 1, 2011

2. First African Baptist Church Marker

First African Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, May 1, 2011

3. First African Baptist Church

Built in 1915

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,062 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.