First African Baptist Church (Savannah)

First African Baptist Church
Front view image of First African Baptist Church from History of the First African Baptist Church, From its Organization, January 20th, 1788, to July 1st, 1888. Including the Centennial Celebration, Addresses, Sermons, Etc. by E.K. Love
Location	23 Montgomery Street Savannah, Georgia
Country	United States
Denomination	Baptist
Website	www.theoldestblackchurch.org
History
Founded	1777
Founder(s)	George Leile
Architecture
Years built	1859
Administration
Division	National Baptist Convention, U. S. A. Inc.
Subdivision	General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc.
Clergy
Pastor(s)	Thurmond Neill Tillman
First African Baptist Church
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Part of	Savannah Historic District (#66000277)
Added to NRHP	November 13, 1966

First African Baptist Church, located in Savannah, Georgia claims to be derived from the first black Baptist congregation in North America. While it was not officially organized until 1788, it grew from members who founded a congregation in 1773. Its claim of "first" is contested by First Baptist Church of Petersburg, Virginia, whose congregation officially organized in 1774.

First African Baptist Church operates a museum which displays memorabilia dating back to the 18th century.

George Leile, a slave who in 1773 was the first African American licensed by the Baptists to preach in Georgia, played a part in the founding of the Savannah church by converting some of its early members. His initial licensing as a Baptist was to preach to slaves on plantations along the Savannah River, in Georgia and South Carolina.

Leile's master, a Baptist deacon, had freed him before the American Revolutionary War. Over the next few years, Leile converted and baptized slaves in the area. These included David George, one of eight slaves who were baptized and formed a congregation called the Silver Bluff Baptist Church in Aiken County, South Carolina, across the river from Augusta. George was appointed an elder and preacher, and attracted nearly 30 members over the next few years.

After the Revolutionary War started, in 1778 Leile made his way to the British-occupied city of Savannah, to ensure his security behind British lines. The British had offered freedom to slaves who escaped their rebel masters. After the British occupied Savannah, the Patriot master of David George and his followers fled to another area. All the members of the Silver Bluff church went to the city to go behind British lines for freedom. They joined with some of Leile's group. Others were converted by Leile's preaching, including Andrew Bryan and his wife Hannah in 1782. Bryan became a preacher and leader in the congregation.