First Bryan Baptist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Bryan Baptist Church
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First Bryan Baptist Church in 2020
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | 575 W. Bryan Street, Savannah, Georgia |
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| Built | 1873 |
| Architect | John B. Hogg |
| Website | www.fbbcsav.org |
| Part of | Savannah Historic District |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000971 |
| Added to NRHP | May 22, 1978 |
First Bryan Baptist Church is a very important African-American church located in Savannah, Georgia. It was started in 1788 by Andrew Bryan. He was a former slave who bought his own freedom. This church is often called the "Mother Church" for Black Baptists because it was one of the first.
Andrew Bryan bought the land for the church in 1793. The first church building was built there in 1794. By 1800, the church had grown so much that some members formed new churches. The beautiful building you see today was built in 1873.
Contents
How the Church Started
The story of First Bryan Baptist Church begins with a man named George Liele. He was a slave who had a special talent for leadership and preaching. Around 1774, he became a Christian and was baptized. His owner, Mr. Henry Sharpe, allowed George Liele to visit other plantations. He would preach to enslaved people along the Savannah River.
On one of his visits, four enslaved people became Christians. They were Andrew Bryan, his wife Hannah, Kate Hogg, and Hagar Simpson. These four people became the first members of what would become the first Black missionary Baptist church. Andrew Bryan was also a talented speaker. With permission from his owner, Mr. Bryan, he began to preach to people in different areas.
A white man named Mr. Edward Davis allowed the church members to build a simple wooden building on his land. On January 20, 1788, two white ministers, Rev. Thomas Burton and Rev. Abraham Marshall, visited the services. Rev. Marshall baptized 45 new members. He also officially made Andrew Bryan a minister. On that same day, the group became organized. This was the start of what would later be called First Bryan Baptist Church. Andrew Bryan became its first pastor.
The church continued to hold services, even when conditions were difficult. Rev. Bryan was able to buy his freedom. This allowed him to focus completely on his ministry. Another white man, Mr. Thomas Gibbons, gave Andrew Bryan a piece of land for the church. This land was given to "Free Andrew" on June 1, 1790.
With help from church members and white friends, Rev. Bryan bought the land where the church stands today. He paid "thirty pounds sterling," which was about $150. This land is the oldest piece of property in the United States that has been owned by Black people continuously. The church was officially recognized by the State of Georgia in 1866. Rev. Bryan led the church until he passed away in 1812.
Early Church Life
From 1788 to 1832, many important things happened at First Bryan. In 1826, the first Sunday School for Black people was started at this church. It was organized by Mr. Lowell Mason, who also started the first Sunday School in Savannah. This Sunday School was very successful. It is still active today.
In 1832, there was a disagreement about church beliefs. Some members left First Bryan Baptist Church. They formed a new church and took the name First African Baptist Church. Most of these members were enslaved people. They built their current church building in 1859. The remaining members stayed at the original site. They continued to worship under the guidance of their deacons until 1833.
From 1833 to 1861, First Bryan had six different pastors. The church faced many challenges during this time. However, in 1861, Rev. Ulysses L. Houston became the pastor. Under his leadership, First Bryan began to grow and succeed greatly.
Role in Freedom and Civil Rights
Before and after the Civil War, leaders and members of First Bryan played a big part in helping Black people gain freedom in Savannah. James Merilus Simms, a church leader and minister, traveled to Richmond, Virginia, in 1862. He returned to Savannah with an early version of the Emancipation Proclamation. He shared this important news with Black leaders and the community in Savannah.
Because of his efforts, Black Savannah held a celebration dinner on January 1, 1863. Rev. Ulysses L. Houston gave the opening prayer. James Porter gave the main speech. Edward Wicks, who was the church clerk for 50 years, was a Union soldier during the Civil War. Rev. Ulysses L. Houston and James Merilus Simms also served in the Georgia government after the war, from 1869 to 1871.
On January 12, 1865, Rev. Ulysses L. Houston and other Black ministers met with important leaders. These leaders included General William T. Sherman and Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War. They discussed the future of formerly enslaved people in Savannah. This meeting led to "Field Order No. 15," which is famous in American history as "Forty Acres And A Mule."
As a result of this order, Rev. U. L. Houston led 1,000 Black people to Skidaway Island. There, they farmed and grew crops. They stayed there until 1866, when white citizens got the land back.
The Current Church Building
On August 18, 1873, the church members decided to tear down the old building. They wanted to build a new, modern church for worship. John B. Hogg, a civil engineer, created the plans for free. The church members accepted his plans on September 29, 1873. Pictures of the plans were sold for one dollar to help raise money for the new building.
The first stone for the new building was placed on October 13, 1873. This was done by the Grand Lodge of Georgia, Prince Hall. The cornerstone holds a copper box. Inside the box are items given by members, like jewelry and coins. It also contains old church records and newspaper clippings.
Black builders did all the work on the church building. They were supervised by the architect. The church's style is called Corinthian. It looks similar to Wesley Chapel in London, England, and the Trinity Methodist Church in Savannah. Mr. Hogg also designed those churches.
The church building is 75 feet long, 56 feet wide, and 45 feet high to the roof. It has a bell tower with a bell. Inside, there is a large balcony on three sides. The main seating area can hold 1,500 people. The distance from the floor to the ceiling is 26 feet. The building cost about $30,000, not including the furniture.
A pipe organ was bought from the Independent Presbyterian Church for $1,350. This organ was built in 1856. It was damaged by fire in 1889 and sold to First Bryan in the early 1890s. It is not used now, but it is a beautiful display piece in the church. There are plans to fix it.
The building was finished. On January 20, 1888, special services were held to celebrate 100 years since the church was founded. In the same year, Rev. James Merilus Simms, a church leader, wrote the first history of the church.
In October 1940, the area around the church became Yamacraw Village. This was a well-known housing project. First Bryan Baptist Church has continued to help families in the Yamacraw Village community. In 1956, an Education Building was opened. This building has classrooms, offices, and a meeting hall.
The church building, built in 1873, is still located at 575 W. Bryan St. in Savannah, Georgia. Both the church and the education center show the strong faith of the community. The church, its buildings, and its furnishings are worth about one and a half million dollars. First Bryan Baptist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. You can take tours of the church if you ask.
Church Leaders
Here are the pastors who have led First Bryan Baptist Church:
- Andrew Bryan – 1788–1812
- Andrew Cox Marshall – 1815–1832
- Thomas Anderson – 1833–1835
- Stephen McQueen – 1835–1841
- John Benjamin DeVeaux – 1842–1845
- Isaac Roberts – 1846–1849
- Brister Lawton – 1849–1850
- Garrison Frazier – 1852–1860
- Ulysses L. Houston – 1861–1889
- George Griffin – 1889–1907
- Daniel Wright – 1908–1923
- Lawrence M. Glenn – 1924–1934
- Levi M. Terrill – 1935–1943
- Nathaniel E. Holsey – 1943–1949
- Richard M. Williams – 1949–1965
- Ervin J. Jennings Jr. – 1965–1973
- Arthur D. Sims – 1974–1982
- Edward L. Ellis Jr. – 1985–2011
- Aaron M. James Sr. – 2011–2016
- Christopher J. Pittman - 2019–Present
Important Moments in History
- 1784: Andrew Bryan, Hannah Bryan, and Kate Hogg were baptized by George Liele.
- January 20, 1788: First Bryan Baptist Church was officially started. Andrew Bryan became its first pastor.
- 1793: Andrew Bryan bought the land where the church is now for $150.
- 1795: The first church building was finished.
- 1812: Andrew Bryan passed away.
- 1815: Andrew Marshall became the second pastor.
- 1826: The first Sunday School for Black people was started at this church.
- 1832: The church split due to disagreements, and some members formed a new church.
- 1833: The church continued to operate under the leadership of its deacons.
- 1835: The Black church took over running the Sunday School.
- 1861: Ulysses Houston became the pastor.
- 1866: First Bryan Baptist Church was officially recognized by the State of Georgia.
- 1873: The church decided to build a new, modern building. The cornerstone was laid on October 13, 1873.
- January 20, 1888: The current church building was finished and used for the first time. It cost $30,000.
- 1888: A pipe organ, built in 1856, was installed in the church.
- 1888: Ulysses L. Houston passed away.
- 1916: A monument to George Liele was placed at the church.
- 1956: The Educational Annex building was opened.
- 1978: The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- January 20, 1979: A plaque was unveiled on the outside of the church, showing its Historic Landmark Status.
- May 20, 1979: The first historical marker granted to Black people in Georgia was unveiled in front of the church.
- 1987: During a big renovation, beautiful stained glass windows were installed.
- January 10–20, 1988: The church celebrated its 200th birthday. The cornerstone laid in 1873 was opened, revealing about 400 historical items.
- July 10, 1988: Another cornerstone was laid, containing a bible and other church items.
- 1994: Dr. Charles Elmore, a historian, was asked to write a new history of First Bryan Baptist Church. His book is called "First Bryan 1788–2001 The Oldest Continuous Black Baptist Church in America."
See also
- Lester Anthony, church organist for 46 years
