Current church building constructed in 1859, standing proudly in Franklin Square
Photo by Steven Miller / CC BY 2.0
Street view showcasing the church's prominent bell tower and architectural details
A Living Monument to Faith and Freedom
The First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia is a vibrant Christian church with an incredible history. While the current pastor, Reverend Thurmond N. Tillman, guides his flock and nourishes their spiritual needs in the modern world, the congregation looks back on its rich history and eagerly educates visitors about the past. Tours are offered to tell the story of how the congregation came into existence in the late 1700s and all that has been experienced since those early days.
Originally named First Colored Baptist, the church was renamed First African Baptist and it is where the first black Sunday school class in North America was taught. From the exterior, the church looks smaller than inside. Standing in Franklin Square today and looking across Montgomery Street, you'll see the current structure that was built in 1859.
Historic Preservation
Both the main sanctuary and the balcony are available for touring. Anyone with an appreciation for American history in the south, Christian history in the U.S.A. or African American history will be enlightened and inspired with a visit to First African Baptist Church in Savannah with its well preserved artifacts. Among the historical pieces maintained inside the church to this day are many of the light fixtures which have been present since the middle of the 19th century.
Seventeen Pastors, Centuries of Leadership
Seventeen men have led the First African Baptist Church. The congregation has depended on their leadership and guidance over the centuries. The church pays homage to several former pastors in a very special way — with their images captured in stained glass. The very first pastor, George Leile is honored with placement in a special stained glass window visible when standing outside the front of the church.
George Leile (First Pastor)
While George Leile was pastor of First African Baptist, he traveled to Jamaica as a missionary earning him the distinction of being both the first missionary from America to travel to a foreign land for the sake of the Gospel and the first Baptist missionary to Jamaica.
Andrew Bryan (1788)
Taking over in 1788, Andrew Bryan was a former slave who became the successor of Leile as pastor, establishing the foundation for what would become America's oldest African American congregation.
Rev. Andrew Cox Marshall (1812-1856)
The third leader of First African Baptist, Reverend Andrew Cox Marshall, holds the distinction of being the longest serving pastor (serving from 1812-1856) until his death at nearly one hundred years (reports on his age vary, but he's believed to have been between 95 & 100). Pastor Marshall was a slave for many decades before eventually buying his freedom. He was born as the son of a slave girl and a white father who was likely the supervisor of a slave plantation.
Building the Current Church (1859)
After the death of Marshall, the Rev William J. Campbell became the fourth pastor. His tenure of two decades included the critical time of constructing the new church building — the one that remains to this day. Obviously, Rev. Campbell did his job very well. The only major setback to the church building since those times was to the original church steeple which was damaged in the late 1800s by a hurricane.
Rev. Emmanuel King Love (1885-1900)
During the last fifteen years of the 19th century, First African Baptist was led by the Reverend Emmanuel King Love. Many additions to the church were made during his watch including the baptismal pool. This is also the time frame when the pipe organ, which was already more than a half-century old at the time, was placed up into the balcony. Rev. Love was more than just a preacher, though. He desired improvements in education for his people and his leadership was critical in the establishment of what is now Savannah State University.
All of the church debts were retired in the years of its eighth pastor, Willis Jones. Reverends T.J. Goodalls, Edgar Thomas, Mack Williams and J. Alfred Wilson would guide the church through the early parts of the 20th century until Ralph Mark Gilbert became pastor in 1939. The name may sound familiar if you've toured the museums of Savannah. One of them is named for him — The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum.
Pastor Gilbert loved his flock and believed that all of God's children were created equally. While serving as the local president of the NAACP, he demonstrated courageousness while endeavoring towards integration of the local police department. He's considered one of the greatest leaders of the civil rights movement from the south.
Curtis Jackson (1957)
The push for desegregation continued to be a dream for those who came after Reverend Gilbert. Assuming the leadership of the church in 1957, Curtis Jackson focused on desegregating Savannah area schools and he led many non-violent demonstrations. Civil Rights leaders recognized the work that was being done in Savannah and Martin Luther King, Jr. even visited First African Baptist on his visit to Savannah delivering a speech that contained many of the themes he would later give in the infamous "I Have a Dream" speech.
Modern Era and Preservation
The later-half of the 1960s, while William Franklin Stokes was pastor, it became a lot more comfortable to worship at First African Baptist as air conditioning was installed for the first time. Understanding that the church's story was unique in America, a permanent museum space was created by Pastor Lawrence McKinney during the 1970s.
Currently, Reverend Thurmond N. Tillman serves as the 17th pastor of the church (since 1982). He's achieved the second longest pastorate with three decades of service — though, it is still significantly shorter than the 44 years Rev. Marshall performed in the 1800s. It would take another dozen years or so for Rev. Tillman to become the longest serving pastor of this amazing congregation.
Visiting Today
History shows that God has blessed and protected this wonderful church. He sends pastors with the leadership skills suited to the times to guide this flock. Pastor Tillman and his congregation are grateful to worship in such a historic building and they invite you to discover history at First African Baptist Church in Historic Savannah, Georgia.
Notable Pastors Through History
George Leile (Founding Pastor)
First missionary from America to travel to a foreign land for the Gospel. First Baptist missionary to Jamaica. Honored with stained glass window at church entrance.
Andrew Bryan (1788)
Former slave who became second pastor, officially establishing the congregation that became America's oldest African American church.
Rev. Andrew Cox Marshall (1812-1856)
Longest serving pastor (44 years). Former slave who bought his freedom. Lived to nearly 100 years old and guided the church through crucial antebellum period.
Ralph Mark Gilbert (1939-1955)
Civil rights leader, local NAACP president. Worked toward police department integration. Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum named in his honor.
Rev. Thurmond N. Tillman (1982-Present)
Current 17th pastor with over 40 years of service. Second longest pastorate in church history, continuing the legacy of faith and community leadership.