7-40 First African Baptist Church
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 32° 26.065 W 080° 40.130
17S E 531132 N 3588637
Located on New Street at King Street, Beaufort
Waymark Code: WM11XG7
Location: South Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 01/04/2020
Views: 3
Side 1
This church, founded in 1865, grew out of an antebellum praise house for black members of the Baptist Church of Beaufort. During the Civil War, after the Federal occupation of the town, it hosted a school for freedmen. Rev. Arthur Waddell (1821-1895), its founding pastor, had come to S.C. from Savannah, Ga. In 1867 Rev. Waddell and two black ministers from Savannah formally organized this church.
(Continued on other side)
Side 2
(Continued from other side)
In 1885 the congregation, with more than 900 members, built this "handsome and commodious" Carpenter Gothic church. Rev. Waddell continued to serve this church until he retired in 1894. At his death in 1895 First African Baptist was described as "one of the most aristocratic colored churches." Robert Smalls (1839-1915), Civil War hero, state legislator, and U.S. Congressman, was its most prominent member.
The Beaufort County Historical Society 2013
Marker Name: First African Baptist Church
Marker Location: City
Type of Marker: Building
Marker number: 7-40
County: Beaufort
|
Visit Instructions:
A picture of the marker taken by you or specific details of the site.