Preview History of First African Baptist Church Savannah GA
Preview of upcoming documentary of the history of First African Baptist Church in Savannah Georgia
First African Baptist Church in Savannah, GA
The oldest African American church
First African Baptist Church - Savannah, GA
Join us in celebrating African American history this month by sharing some amazing and inspiring Savannah stories. You will get a history lesson in just 30 seconds. Our first video features First African Baptist Church on Franklin Square.
To learn more about Savannah’s African American history and heritage, go to
Jeremiah Wright at First African Baptist Church Savannah Georgia
Speaking engagement
The Oldest Black Church In America Est. 1773
The First African Baptist Church
Address: 23 Montgomery St, Savannah, GA 31401
Founders: David George, George Liele and Andrew Bryan
Pastor(s): Thurmond Neill Tillman
Established: 1773
They give 1 hour tours through the church in Savannah, Ga.
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Some Slaves Still Wrote Hebrew, FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH, Hebrew carved in the pews by slaves.
First African Baptist Church, located in Savannah, Georgia claims to be derived from the first black Baptist congregation in North America. While it was not officially organized until 1788, it grew from members who founded a congregation in 1773. Its claim of “first” is contested by First Baptist Church of Petersburg, Virginia, whose congregation officially organized in 1774. First African Baptist Church operates a museum which displays memorabilia dating back to the 18th century.
There are holes in the sanctuary flooring that form a design meant to look like a tribal symbol. These were air holes for escaped slaves who would hide in the church, which served as a stop on the Underground Railroad (UGR). During the Civil War, the church housed runaway slaves in a 4-foot (1.2 m) space beneath the sanctuary floorboards. The 9-squared ceiling showed that the church was part of the UGR.
These pews located in the balcony are original to the church. These pews were made by slaves, and are nailed into the floors. On the outside of the pews are markings written in the African dialect known as “Cursive Hebrew”. #HebrewIsraelite #Hebrew #Israelites #BlackHistory
First African Baptist Church Documentary
A Documentary about the oldest Black Church in America, First African Baptist church located in Savannah, GA.
Cursive Hebrew Etched On Pews (First African Baptist Church)
The original pews at the First African Baptist Church (Built by former slaves) have Cursive Hebrew etched on dozens of them (nearly on all 40+ pews)
First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia (Official Site):
First African Baptist Church In Georgia Kicks Out Sick 92-Year Old Josephine King For Not Tithing
A 92-year-old woman is no longer allowed to worship at the church where she was a member for more than 50 years because she was not tithing.
Josephine King said that was the reason she was kicked out of Bainbridge's First African Baptist Church.
Her family members said they hope the situation will bring change to churches across the nation.
“Josephine King is no longer considered a member of the First African Baptist Church of Bainbridge, Georgia,” read Gerald Simmons, as he skimmed over the letter addressed to his aunt.
The letter, signed by Senior Pastor Derrick Mike, stated that Ms. King has shown non-support towards the church in the areas of constant and consistent financial and physical participation.
She was stunned. She was disappointed. She was shocked, said Simmons.
He said Ms. King was considered sick and a shut-in for several months, which was the reason for her lack of attendance.
He also said his aunt had gone above and beyond in the past to financially support the church.
You shouldn't chase the individuals down, said Simmons. You shouldn't do that. If that's the case, you're money hungry.
Simmons also noted that his aunt isn't the first person to receive a letter of removal for not tithing, and hopes her story will shed some light on the policy.
You have to have money to make these churches run, but it's not about money,” Simmons said. It's about God. You have to put God first.
Several requests for comment from the church were made, but no responses by officials or other members were given.
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Saltwater Underground Railroad Station -3- First African Baptist Church
First African Baptist Church, located in the historic district of Savannah, Georgia, is recognized as one of the nation's oldest African American Baptist Churches. Although the church was not officially established until 1788, the original congregation of mostly enslaved individuals had been formed in 1773 by former slave George Leile, who was ordained in 1775.
Leile was assisted by two local men he baptized, David George and Andrew Bryan. After the American Revolutionary War began, Andrew Bryan stayed with the congregation. George Leile emigrated to Jamaica becoming the first missionary in the United States and David George escaped to freedom in Canada, then emigrated to Sierra Leone, founding the First Baptist Church of West Africa.
On January 20, 1788, at a local barn, First African Baptist Church was recognized officially by the Rev. Abraham Marshall. Andrew Bryan was appointed pastor and sixty-seven people joined the church. By 1794 the congregation was able to erect its first structure, which they named Bryan Street African Baptist Church. By the year 1800, the congregation had grown to seven hundred members. In 1802 Bryan Street Church renamed itself First African Baptist Church. The current building was completed in 1859.
The church ceiling, in the design of the “Nine Patch Quilt,” recalls that the church was once a safe house for runaway enslaved Africans. Beneath the lower auditorium floor is another sub-floor, evidence that the church was used as an Underground Railroad station. The holes in the floor, which were used for ventilation for runaway Africans hiding there, are in the shape of an African prayer symbol, known as a “Congolese Cosmogram.”
Although there are no official records of how many runaway enslaved Africans passed through the sanctuary, the site's proximity to the next stop on our tour puts it squarely on the path of the Saltwater Underground Railroad.
Music by Audiobinger
For Full Tour Visit: saltwaterrailroad.org
The Oldest African-American church
Savannah, GA
The builders of the church were still slaves and had the doctrine given to them but they still trusted in The Most High and The Lord Jesus Christ. I'm pretty sure the overseers still came to listen in on what was being taught. I recently woke to the knowledge of who we are and the past couple of years I've been seeking out truth throughout the landmines of lies. This was a nice tour you will hear that old doctrine but the perseverance of our people is still evident.
Bonus was the Tuskegee airman memorial. I doubt they knew that we were the people of the book but I do believe they reminded the other nations that even though it was hidden from us that it was still evident. I want to get more info about the Harlem Hellcats during WWI.
The song is by Iuic-Death before dishonor.
Thanks for watching.
First African--Oldest Black Church in America
Video created with the Socialcam app on iPhone:
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