Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

First African Baptist Church

Photographed by Don Morfe, March 23, 2015

1. First African Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Founded 1809 as one of the first Black Baptist churches in America. Later two members sold themselves into slavery to free a slave to serve as pastor. Erected 1906, this building is located at a later site of the congregation.

Erected 1991 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1809.

Location. 39° 56.424′ N, 75° 10.176′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Graduate Hospital. It is at the intersection of South 16th Street and Christian Street on South 16th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1544 Christian St, Philadelphia PA 19146, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western

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World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jack and Jill of America Foundation (here, next to this marker); John C. Asbury (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Christian Street YMCA (about 700 feet away); Mercy Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Local 274, American Federation of Musicians (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tindley Temple (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hotel Brotherhood USA (approx. 0.2 miles away); Philadelphia Tribune (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

First African Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, March 23, 2015

2. First African Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,551 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.