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 |
The First Bryan Baptist Church is a very old and important African-American church in Savannah, Georgia. It was started by Andrew Bryan in 1788. Many people call it the "Mother Church of Black Baptists" because it was one of the first.
Andrew Bryan, who used to be enslaved, bought the land for the church in 1793 after buying his own freedom. The first church building was put up there in 1794. By 1800, the church had grown so much that some members formed new churches. The building you see today was built in 1873.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
How the Church Began
The story of First Bryan Baptist Church starts with a man named George Liele. He was an enslaved person with special talents. Both Black and white people noticed his leadership skills. George Liele became a Christian around 1774. His owner, Mr. Henry Sharpe, let him visit other plantations. George would preach to enslaved people along the Savannah River.
On one of these 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 Bryan Baptist Church. Andrew Bryan was also very talented. With permission from his owner, Mr. Jonathan Bryan, Andrew started preaching too. He visited plantations and preached to both Black and white people.
A white man named Mr. Edward Davis allowed the church members to build a simple wooden building on his land. This was in an area called Yamacraw.
The Church Grows and Faces Challenges
On January 20, 1788, two white ministers, Rev. Thomas Burton and Rev. Abraham Marshall, visited the church. Rev. Marshall baptized 45 new members. He also officially made Andrew Bryan a minister. This meant Andrew could preach and lead the church fully. On that same day, the group officially became a church. Andrew Bryan was named its first pastor.
The church continued to meet, even when things were hard. Andrew Bryan was able to buy his freedom for a small amount of money. This allowed him to focus completely on his church work. Another kind person, Mr. Thomas Gibbons, gave Andrew Bryan a piece of land. A temporary church building was put up there.
Later, Rev. Bryan and the church members bought the land where the church stands today. They paid about $150 for it. 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.
Sunday School and a Church Split
In 1826, the first Sunday School for Black people was started at this church. A man named Mr. Lowell Mason organized it. He also started the first Sunday School in Savannah. This Sunday School was very successful. It is still running today!
In 1832, some members of the church disagreed about certain beliefs. This caused the church to split. Some members left and started a new church called First African Baptist Church. They moved to a different building. The remaining members stayed at the original site. They continued to worship under the guidance of their deacons.
From 1833 to 1861, the church had a tough time. But in 1861, Rev. Ulysses L. Houston became the pastor. Under his leadership, the First Bryan Baptist Church began to grow and do very well.
The Civil War and Freedom
Before and during the Civil War, leaders from 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 brought back an early version of the Emancipation Proclamation. This important document declared many enslaved people free.
Because of his efforts, Black people in Savannah held a celebration on January 1, 1863. Rev. Ulysses L. Houston gave a prayer at this event. Edward Wicks, who was the church clerk for 50 years, was also a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. Rev. Houston and James Simms even served in Georgia's government after the war.
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 talked about the future of formerly enslaved people in Savannah. This meeting led to "Forty Acres And A Mule". This was an order that gave some land to newly freed families. Rev. Houston led about 1,000 Black people to Skidaway Island. They farmed there until 1866.
The Current Church Building
In 1873, the church members decided to build a new, modern church. They wanted to replace the old building that Rev. Andrew Bryan had built. John B. Hogg, a civil engineer, drew up the plans for free. The church members loved the plans.
The first stone of the new building was laid on October 13, 1873. This was a special event led by a group called the Grand Lodge of Colored Masons. Inside the cornerstone, they placed a copper box. This box held items like jewelry, coins, and old church records.
Black builders did all the work on the new church. The building's style is called Corinthian. It looks similar to other churches designed by Mr. Hogg. The church is 75 feet long and 56 feet wide. It has a tall roof and a bell tower. Inside, there's a large balcony on three sides. The main seating area can hold about 1,500 people.
The new building cost about $30,000. The church also bought a large pipe organ for $1,350. This organ was built in 1856. It was damaged by fire in 1889. First Bryan bought it in the early 1890s. It's not used today, but it's still a beautiful part of the church. There are plans to fix it up.
The new church building was finished in 1888. On January 20, 1888, special services were held. This marked 100 years since the church was first organized. In the same year, Rev. James Merilus Simms wrote the first history of the church.
In 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 this community. In 1956, an Education Building was added. It has classrooms and offices.
The church building, built in 1873, is still standing today. It is 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 and its contents are worth about one and a half million dollars. This church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. You can take tours of the church if you ask!
Pastors
- 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
See also
- Lester Anthony, church organist for 46 years
