The First African Baptist Church’s origins date back to George Leile, born into slavery in Virginia during the early 1750s and later taken to Georgia. Leile’s master, Henry Sharp, was a deacon at the Baptist church of Reverend Matthew Moore of Burke County, Georgia at the time and encouraged Leile to preach to other slaves. It is through these connections Leile became a Baptist, witnessing and worshiping in Reverend Moore’s church until Savannah was evacuated by Loyalists during the American Revolution. Leile was eventually freed from slavery and travelled to Savannah, Georgia. In Savannah George Leile organized a congregation that would officially become the First African Baptist Church with Leile ordained as the pastor in 1777. It wasn’t until the church was under the leadership of Reverend Andrew C. Marshall, however, that the congregation obtained the property where the current church building stands. In 1859 the edifice of the First African Baptist Church was completed.
Visiting the First African Baptist Church
During your visit to the old Savannah Baptist church, learn about the rich history of the congregation and church building on a guided tour. If time permits, shop gifts and keepsakes in the First African Baptist Church’s gift shop.
The Historic African Baptist Church Building
Located on Savannah’s Franklin Square, the African Baptist Church building was constructed by both free African Americans and slaves during the 1850s. Builders made the bricks and worked on the construction of the building after laboring in the fields each day. Upon its completion, the church was the first building constructed of brick to be owned by African Americans in Georgia.
Inside Savannah’s First African Baptist Church
The Sanctuary
Step inside the First African Baptist Church and admire the original light fixtures, baptismal pool and 1832 pipe organ, installed during the Pastorate of Reverend Emmanuel King Love. Light fixtures that originally ran on gas were later updated to run on electricity. The church’s solid oak pews have been a part of the church since the early 1900s when the church was run by 7th pastor, Reverend James Wesley Carr.
The Second Story Balcony
The historic church’s second story balcony features pews original to the church. Nailed to the floor, these pews are known for the African dialect “Cursive Hebrew” that can be found scribbled on the outside of them.
Nine Patch Quilt Ceiling Art
The overhead ceiling of the First African Baptist Church was designed to resemble a nine patch quilt. During the church’s construction, nine patch quilts represented a safe house for slaves. They were also used as a guide, informing slaves where to go next or what to look out for during their travels.
Stained Glass
The First African Baptist Church is home to magnificent stained glass. Prominent stained glass works include those installed under Reverend George Gibbons, the church’s 5th pastor, along the edifice and a stained glass window of Reverend George Leile, located outside, in front of the church.
Congolese Cosmogram
Holes in the church floor form an African prayer symbol known as a Congolese Cosmogram, or “Flash of the Spirits.” These African prayer symbols represent birth, life, death and rebirth.
The Church’s “Underground Railroad”
Beneath the First African Baptist Church’s lower auditorium floor is a finished subfloor at 4 feet in height. Called the “Underground Railroad,” the subfloor was once used to help slaves escape as far north as possible, to the free states. No records as to who or how many went through the tunnel were kept.
Shopping at the First African Baptist Church
From t-shirts to Savannah history books, worship CDs and sermons to black and white prints, the First African Baptist Church gift shop has something for everyone.