Andrew Bryan (Baptist) facts for kids
Andrew Bryan (1737–1812) was an important religious leader. He founded the First African Baptist Church of Savannah in Savannah, Georgia. This was one of the first Black Baptist churches in America. It was sometimes called the Mother Church of Black Baptists. Andrew Bryan was born into slavery and was owned by Jonathan Bryan.
Andrew Bryan was born in 1737 in Goose Creek, South Carolina. His parents were also enslaved. He became a Christian after hearing George Liele preach. When Liele left for Jamaica, Bryan started preaching himself. He was put in jail twice for preaching to enslaved people. He also faced harsh punishments, but he kept going. Bryan started a church that later became the First African Baptist Church. It grew from 69 members in 1788 to about 700 by 1800.
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Andrew Bryan's Early Life
Andrew Bryan was born in 1737 in Goose Creek, South Carolina. He was born on a large farm called Brampton. This farm was known for growing a lot of rice. Andrew's father was named Caesar, and he was also enslaved. Andrew Bryan worked as a coachman and a personal helper for Jonathan Bryan.
An organization called the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (S.P.G.) helped British colonists with religious matters. They also supported the religious needs of Native Americans and enslaved people. This group helped inspire Bryan to become a religious leader. Andrew had a brother named Sampson Bryan. Andrew's wife was Hannah Bryan. It is also thought that he had a daughter.
How He Started Preaching
While growing up on the Brampton farm, Bryan met a man named George Liele. Liele was the first African American to become an ordained minister. He was also the first to travel outside the country for his faith. Bryan and Liele became good friends. They started preaching together.
In 1783, Bryan and his wife were baptized. Many other enslaved people were also baptized. Abraham Marshall and Jesse Peters baptized 45 people who followed Bryan's teachings. These 45 people regularly met and became his first church group. Bryan was then officially made a pastor. He became the leader of the first Baptist church in Savannah, Georgia. His brother, Sampson, became the church's first deacon.
Bryan would preach along the Savannah River. When Liele moved to Jamaica, Bryan took over the churches where Liele used to preach. This helped Bryan's group grow even larger. One of these places was owned by Edward Davis in Yamacraw. Edward Davis encouraged Bryan to build a religious meeting place in Yamacraw village. The gatherings in Yamacraw became so big that some white people thought it was a plan for a rebellion.
Facing Challenges and Arrest
Andrew Bryan became a very good preacher. Many people came to his services in Yamacraw village. The white community did not like that so many African American people were gathering. Slave owners did not want their enslaved people listening to Bryan. They believed he was planning a rebellion.
Enslaved people who attended the services were often harassed by white people. They faced difficult punishments. Church services were often stopped by white people. Bryan was accused of planning a rebellion. Because of this, he was beaten and put in jail. Sampson, his brother, was also jailed with Bryan.
Jonathan Bryan and other farm owners spoke out against Andrew Bryan's arrest. A court in Chatham County looked at the case. Bryan and Sampson were found innocent and set free. After they were released, Bryan went back to preaching. He preached in Jonathan Bryan's barn from morning until night.
Growing the Church and His Legacy
Even while preaching in the barn on the Brampton farm, Bryan's group continued to grow. Several important white men supported Bryan and his preaching. In 1788, the First Baptist Church became officially recognized.
When Jonathan Bryan died, he left Andrew Bryan some money. Bryan used some of this money to buy his freedom from William Bryan, Jonathan Bryan's brother. On June 1, 1790, he bought land from Thomas Gibbons. This land became the site for a new church. William Bryan and James Whitfield also bought land for Bryan and his family to live on.
In 1805, the First African Baptist Church, Savannah Baptist Church, and Newington Baptist Church joined together. They formed the Savannah River Baptist Association. Bryan's hard work helped make this happen. Bryan was a pastor for 24 years. He died on October 6, 1812, at the age of 75. He is buried in Whitefield Square in Savannah.
See also
In Spanish: Andrew Bryan para niños
