Portsmouth in Rockingham County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

New Hampshire's First Black Church

Portsmouth NH Black Heritage Trail

Photographed By James R. Murray, July 26, 2016

1. New Hampshire's First Black Church Marker

Inscription. In 1915 the congregation of the People's Baptist Church which had been meeting in the South Ward Hall for more than twenty-five years, brought this 1857 building for $1200. Though officially Baptist, its membership was multidenominational. For decades it was the heart of Black Portsmouth's social, political, and spiritual life. Among its many distinguished visitors was the young Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. who preached here on October 26, 1952. People's Church dissolved itself in 1968 after the congregation had separated earlier into two groups. One of them, New Hope Baptist Church, acquired the title to the building and remained its owner until 1984 when it was sold to facilitate building a new church on Peverly Hill Road.

Erected by City of Portsmouth NH.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the New Hampshire, The Black Heritage Trail of series list.

Location. 43° 4.532′ N, 70° 45.796′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County. Marker is at the intersection of Pearl Street and Hanover Street, on the right on Pearl Street. Touch for map. Marker is

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at or near this postal address: 45 Pearl Street, Portsmouth NH 03801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Continental Frigate "Raleigh" (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); In This House Admiral (John) Paul Jones Resided (about 800 feet away); John Paul Jones House (about 800 feet away); Spanish American War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Soldiers and Sailors Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frank Jones's Hotels (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of "Negro Burying Ground" (approx. 0.2 miles away); North Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail

Also see . . . Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail.
In 1908 the black People’s Baptist Church became independent from Middle Street Baptist Church, and in 1915, under the leadership of the Reverend John L. Davis, purchased this former Free Will Baptist church built in 1851. For fifty years People’s Baptist Church welcomed pulpit exchanges with neighboring churches and Baha’is. (Submitted on April 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By James R. Murray, July 26, 2016

2. New Hampshire's First Black Church Marker

Photo of marker location on the left hand front of the church as you face the church.

New Hampshire's First Black Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James R. Murray, July 26, 2016

3. New Hampshire's First Black Church

Long view of the Church building

Photographed By James R. Murray, July 26, 2016

4. New Hampshire's First Black Church Marker

View of the front door of the building, know locally as "The Pearl."

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2016, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. This page has been viewed 677 times since then and 72 times this year. Last updated on April 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 26, 2016, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.