First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill |
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| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Architect | L. Quincy Jackson (1972 remodel) |
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The First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill is an important Baptist church located in Nashville, Tennessee. It played a big role during the Civil Rights Movement. Many people who took part in peaceful protests, called sit-ins, learned how to protest without violence right here. This church was once known as the First Colored Baptist Church.
The Church's Story
In 1848, a group of African American church members wanted their own space to worship. They were part of the First Baptist Church. This group became known as the First Colored Baptist Mission.
Later, in 1865, this mission decided to become its own independent church. It was officially named the First Colored Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee.
About 30 years later, the church split into two groups. One group became Spruce Street Baptist Church. The other group kept the name First Colored Baptist Church. In 1969, the First Colored Baptist Church changed its name again. It became the First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill.
A Place for Change: The Civil Rights Movement
The First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, became a very important place during the Civil Rights Movement. This was a time when people worked to end unfair treatment and segregation.
In 1958, a leader named James Lawson started holding special workshops at the church. These workshops taught people how to protest peacefully. They learned how to stand up for their rights without using violence.
The pastor at the time was Kelly Miller Smith. He was also a founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). This was a major group working for civil rights.
Many brave young activists attended Lawson's classes at the church. These included famous names like Diane Nash, Bernard Lafayette, James Bevel, and John Lewis. They went on to lead many important protests. The church was a safe place where they could learn and plan their actions.
See also
- Nelson Merry College (1890–1965), a school for African American students in the past.
