First Baptist Church (Petersburg, Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Baptist Church |
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| 37°13′24″N 77°24′14″W / 37.22333°N 77.40389°W | |
| Location | 236 Harrison Street, Petersburg, Virginia |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| Website | www.firstbaptistpetersburg.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1774 |
First Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia, started in 1774. It was the first Baptist church in Petersburg. It was also one of the first African-American Baptist churches in the United States. This makes it one of the oldest black churches in the country. The church even created one of the first local schools for black children.
Today, First Baptist Church has the largest community outreach program in Petersburg. Its members were very active during the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century.
Contents
History of First Baptist Church
Early Beginnings of Baptist Churches
In the early days of the Baptist Church in the American Southeast, preachers from New England helped it grow. This period was known as the First Great Awakening. As more churches began, their members formed groups called associations.
After the American Revolutionary War, in 1781, the churches in Virginia and North Carolina split. The 21 churches in Virginia formed the Portsmouth Baptist Association. They worked together to create church rules. Later, they focused on missions and education. They also started Sunday Schools.
Founding of First Baptist Church
The story of First Baptist Church began in 1756. Scattered black members in Prince George County, Virginia started worshipping. They were part of the "New Lights" movement after the Great Awakening. Baptist preachers traveled widely, sharing their message with both black and white people.
In these early years, Baptist preachers often spoke against slavery. They believed all people were equal because they were made in God's image. Their message welcomed black people to take active roles. This attracted many new members, including enslaved people.
Moving to Petersburg
In 1774, some black New Light members joined together. Their leader was Reverend John Michaels. They called themselves the First African Baptist Church. They met in Lunenburg, Virginia on Colonel William Byrd III's plantation.
Their meetinghouse at the Byrd plantation later burned down. In 1820, the free members of the church moved to Petersburg, Virginia. Petersburg had a growing community of free black people. By 1860, Petersburg had the largest free black population in the South.
When the church moved to Petersburg, it took the name First Baptist Church. They built their first church on Harrison Avenue. This was one of the first black Baptist churches in the colonies before the American Revolutionary War. It was also the first Baptist church started in Petersburg.
Education and Challenges
First Baptist Church believed strongly in education. They created one of the earliest local schools for black children in the nation. From the very beginning, black pastors led the church.
However, after Nat Turner's Rebellion in 1831, plantation owners became worried. They feared that religious messages could cause more revolts. So, in 1832, laws were passed. These laws said that all black churches had to be led by white pastors. This was meant to control the messages given in church. Thomas G. Keen was one of the ministers at First Baptist during this time.
After the American Civil War, black people took back control of their church. They left the Southern Baptist Convention.
Growth After the Civil War
By 1865, First Baptist Church had 1,700 members. Reverend Leonard A. Black was the pastor from 1873 to 1883. During his time, the church grew to 3,600 members. Reverend Black had escaped slavery in Maryland when he was about 17. He later wrote a book about his journey called The Life and Sufferings of Leonard Black, a Fugitive from Slavery.
First Baptist Church joined a state group of black Baptist churches. This helped them avoid being supervised by white churches. These black state groups eventually formed the National Baptist Convention, USA. The church continued to grow after the war. Many freedmen (formerly enslaved people) moved to Petersburg. Church members helped these new city residents adjust to urban life.
The current church building at 236 Harrison Avenue was started in 1870. This was after a fire destroyed the previous one. The church kept adding to the building. The steeple was finished while Reverend Black was pastor. In the late 1880s, the pastor, Reverend Charles B. Gordon, also edited a newspaper called The Pilot. This paper was important for Baptists in Virginia.
First Baptist Church in the 20th Century
Like other major black churches, First Baptist Church helped train new leaders. These leaders went into education, politics, and business. The church's members were very active in the Civil Rights Movement. The church was a place for large meetings, demonstrations, and voter registration drives.
In 1980, First Baptist built a new education building. They have also bought nearby land for future plans. The church is a strong leader among downtown churches. It has the largest community outreach program in Petersburg. Its programs include education, scholarships, welfare, and family counseling. The church also broadcasts its services on television twice a week.
See also
