The First African Baptist Church in Savannah is located next to Franklin Square in downtown Savannah. The church is thought to be the oldest African-American church in the country. It was founded by former slaves while the United States was still under British rule.
History of the Church
Not only is it thought to be the oldest African-American congregation in the United States, but the church was also a stop on the Underground Railroad. For the protection of the slaves, there were no records kept of the number of people who went through the building on their journey north, but breathing holes in the floorboards give a glimpse into the church’s past. The holes in the floor are in the shape of an African prayer symbol that represents birth, life, death, and rebirth. Slaves would have gained entry to the church through a tunnel; however, to this day the location of the tunnel is unknown. The history of this church makes it one of the more unique places to visit on your next trip to Savannah.
The First African Baptist Church was organized by the Reverend George Leile in 1773. Reverend George was a slave and he was the first African American to be licensed by the Baptists to preach in Georgia. He spent the next few years baptizing and converting slaves up and down the Savannah River in Georgia and South Carolina.
Reverend George Leile and his family eventually left for Jamaica and the promise of freedom but many of the slaves he baptized stayed behind formed a congregation for slaves in Savannah. All of this history makes the First African Baptist Church one of the top Historic Attractions in Savannah GA, particularly for history buffs!
Updates to the Church
The current building of the First African Baptist Church was built in 1859 under the leadership of Pastor Reverend Andrew C. Marshall. It contains many of its original historical elements. The light fixtures and baptismal pool are all original as are the pews in the balcony which were made by slaves and nailed to the floor. The pews in the main sanctuary were made in the early 1900’s. The church’s pipe organ was commissioned by St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in 1834. It was then passed on to a local black church who donated the organ to the First African Baptist Church in 1888.
Today, the First African Baptist Church is still used as a house of worship, but they offer tours Tuesday – Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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