Riceboro in Liberty County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

First African Baptist Church

By Mike Stroud, July 2008

1. First African Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. The First African Baptist Church, the oldest black church in Liberty County, had its origins in the North Newport Baptist Church, founded in 1809. In 1818 the North Newport Church, composed of both white and black members, purchased this site and erected a church building here which had a gallery for the slave members. In 1854 the North Newport Church moved to Walthourville, but the black members in this area continued to use the old building.

In 1861 the black members formed their own church organization and the first black pastor was the Reverend Charles Thin. On July 20, 1878 the North Newport Church sold the building to A. M. McIver for $225 for use by the First African Baptist Church.

One of the early white pastors of this church was the Reverend Josiah Spry Law to whom a cenotaph was erected here in 1854 by both blacks and whites.

Three other neighboring churches have been formed from the membership of this church: First Zion Baptist Church in 1870, First African Baptist Church of Jones in 1896, and Baconton Baptist Church in 1897.

Erected 1996 by Liberty County Historical Society.

Location. 31° 44.846′ N, 81° 27.775′ W. Marker is in Riceboro, Georgia, in Liberty County. Marker

First African Baptist Church Marker, with cenotaph to Reverend Josiah Spry Law, as mentioned image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, July 2008

2. First African Baptist Church Marker, with cenotaph to Reverend Josiah Spry Law, as mentioned

cenotaph - a monument built to honor people whose remains are interred elsewhere or whose remains cannot be recovered

is at the intersection of Barrington Ferry Road and E.B. Cooper Highway (Georgia Route 119), on the right when traveling south on Barrington Ferry Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Riceboro GA 31323, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Riceborough (approx. 1.4 miles away); Lambert Plantation (approx. 1.6 miles away); Old Post Road (approx. 1.7 miles away); Simon Munro (approx. 2.8 miles away); General James Screven (approx. 3.2 miles away); William Bartram Trail (approx. 3.2 miles away); Woodmanston Plantation (approx. 3.3 miles away); New Life For Dorchester Academy 1932-1940 (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riceboro.

Also see . . . Reverend Josiah Spry Law. Georgia Baptists: Historical and Biographical By Jesse Harrison ...Page 322-326 (Submitted on July 15, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Categories. • African Americans • Churches & Religion • Notable Buildings • Notable Persons •

Josiah S. Law cenotaph image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, July 2008

3. Josiah S. Law cenotaph

Erected here in 1854 by both blacks and whites.

By Mike Stroud, 2008

4. Josiah S. Law cenotaph

East Face
" Sacred
To the memory
of the
Rev.Josiah S. Law,
who departed this life
on the
4th day of October 1853
in the 46th year
of his age."

By Mike Stroud, 2008

5. Josiah S. Law cenotaph

North Face
" In commemoration
of
the private virtues
and
public services
of the
Rev. Josiah S. Law."

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2017. This page originally submitted on July 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,526 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 15, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.