Mar 28 2008
African American Churches in Savannah
Guided by lantern light and the desire for something better, slaves constructed their very own houses of worship beginning in the late 1700s. The very first of these congregations, recognized as the Ethiopian Church of Jesus Christ in Savannah, would later be known as Old Jerusalem. Four present-day Savannah congregations which started in slavery are still in existence today: First African Baptist, First Bryan Baptist, Second African Baptist and Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Churches.
First African Baptist Church - 23 Montgomery St., Savannah - 912.233.6597
One of the oldest, continuous, black congregations in American and the oldest standing brick church building in Georgia. The church contains the original pews in the church’s gallery and they bear the tribal markings of the African slaves who worshiped there. It was also used as a refuge for slaves seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad as seen by the air holes carved in a diamond pattern on the church’s floor-a pattern that beautifully disguised the holes’ true intentions. This building was built by slaves who worked all day in the fields, and then worked all night on the church. Tour times vary. $2 donation.
First Bryan Baptist Church - 575 West Bryan St., - 912.232.5526
One of the oldest, continuous black congregations in America situated on the oldest continuously-owned piece of church property in America. In 1789 the church’s founder, Father Andrew Bryan, bought his freedom and soon after bought that of his family. Four years later, he purchased the lot where the church now stands. Tours are given from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Mon.-Fri. Call for an appointment.
Second African Baptist Church - 123 Houston St., - 912.233.6163
Located on Greene Square, this church was the sight of a reading of Special Field Order #15, better known as the famous “forty acres and a mule” proclamation. The church has weathered numerous changes including severe fire damage in 1925 that resulted in replacing the wooden exterior with brick. Tours are given from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Mon.-Fri.
St. Benedict the Moor - 556 E. Gordon St. - 912.232.7147
This Catholic church was established in 1874 to provide for the spiritual needs of freed slaves in the years following the Civil War. Benedictine monks from France came to work with the black population and they erected a small frame church. After several years, the Benedictines built a larger church at the current sight. There are no set tour times. Call for appointment.
St. Philip’s Monumental A.M.E. Church - 1112 Jefferson St., - 912.233.8547
This church is Georgia’s oldest African Methodist Episcopal congregation and it marked the beginning of African-American Methodism as we know it today. The building has withstood a great deal including hurricane damage in 1893 and again in 1899. No set tour times. Call for appointment.
