Chatham County GaArchives History .....The 1st African Baptist Church, Introductory Materials 1925 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 11, 2004, 6:08 pm THE FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA BY REV. EDGAR GARFIELD THOMAS, A. B., B. D. SAVANNAH, GEORGIA Copyright, 1925 By E. G. Thomas, Author. DEDICATION. TO MY DEVOTED WIFE WHO HAS BEEN MY BOSOM COMPANION IN TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS; TO MY THREE AFFECTIONATE CHILDREN WHOSE FEET WE STRIVE TO TRAIN TO PATHS OF USEFULNESS AND PURITY; TO THE FAITHFUL OFFICERS AND LOYAL MEMBERS OF THE FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH WHOSE CO-OPERATIVE EFFORTS ASSIST AND INSPIRE ME, AND WHOSE CONSTANT AND FERVENT PRAYERS INVOKE SUSTAINING GRACE UPON BOTH MY LIFE AND LABORS, THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Jno. 8:32.) The: greatest agency conducing order and adjustment in the physical, intellectual or moral world is light; Truth is eternal, invincible and liberating. Truth is appealing and overpowering when clearly" revealed. But truth is often obscured, either by ignorance or controversy. Yet when bright light is focussed upon the naked truth, reason grasps ft and man accepts it. For almost half a century, the unique position of the First African Baptist Church of North America has been contested in her home city. The claims of her rival were exploded and the merits of the controversy were decided by the State Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia in 1888. This decision was based upon the findings of a committee of seven of the most eminent, scholarly and unimpeachable clergymen that any one generation of Georgians has ever produced. These facts were fittingly set forth by the illustrious Dr. Emanuel K. Love in his "History of the First African Baptist Church," in 1888. The question was substantially settled for that generation. But that edition is exhausted, our rivals have become more aggressive, and their propaganda is bearing fruit. Also considerable additional historical data concerning the origin of the church and its earlier days have come to light that places its beginning more than a decade earlier than formerly announced. Besides much additional history has been made during these latter years that is here presented for the first time. These and other considerations have impelled the author into a labyrinth of extensive research that is so fruitful as to convince him that the material is adequate and the time is ripe for an up-to-date history of our great church. It is our sincere conviction, that, when the illuminating facts of this little volume are read and analyzed by an unbiased public, and the dates established are duly set forth, the backbone of this cruel controversy will have been broken and Mother Zion shall enjoy her God-given birthright in the peace and composure that her position in history and her battles for humanity have so richly merited. For this happy realization we fervently pray. THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. Page Dedication 3 Preface 5 CHAPTER I. The Beginnings of Baptist History in Georgia; George Leile: His Birth, Conversion and Early Ministry; Origin of the First African Baptist Church 9 CHAPTER II. Our First Pastor, Rev. George Leile: His Struggles for Freedom and the Master; His Departure to Jamaica; Establishes the First African Church There 24 CHAPTER III. Through Fiery Trials; Andrew Bryan Ordained; The Little Flock Permanently Established; Membership Flourishes; Second African and Ogeechee Churches Organized; In the Georgia and Savannah Associations; Death of Rev. Andrew Bryan 32 CHAPTER IV. Rev. Andrew Cox Marshall; Period of Great Prosperity and Growth; In the Sunbury Association; Organization of the First Negro Sunday School in North America; The Dissention; Purchase and Occupancy of the Franklin Square Property; Organization of the Third African Baptist Church 44 CHAPTER V. The Seven Claims of the First Bryan Church Discussed; Our Right Vindicated 53 CHAPTER VI. Rev. A. C. Marshall; The Church Back in the Sunbury Association; The Closing Years and Final Death of Rev. Marshall 72 CHAPTER VII. Rev. William J. Campbell; His Wonderful Administration; The Dissection; His Sad Death 77 CHAPTER VIII. Rev. George Gibbons; His Uneventful but Effective Pastorate 83 CHAPTER IX. Rev. Emanuel King Love, D. D.; His Celebrated Administration; Other Labors 87 CHAPTER X. The Centennial Anniversary 92 CHAPTER XI. The Controversy With the First Bryan Baptist Church Investigated and Decided; The "Morning News" Clipping by the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Georgia 99 CHAPTER XII. Rev. James Wesley Carr, D. D.; Pastorium Bought; Church Seats Installed 110 CHAPTER XIII. Rev. Willis L. Jones, D. D.; Mortgage-Burning Rally 115 CHAPTER XIV. Rev. Thomas Jefferson Goodall, D. D.; Church Renovated: New National Prominence 119 CHAPTER XV. Rev. Edgar Garfield Thomas, A. B., B. D.; Troubles Allayed; Bell Tower Reconstructed; Church History Recast: Preparations To Celebrate the Sesqui-centennial Anniversary Planned 123 CHAPTER XVI. Boards and Auxiliary Societies 133 Additional Comments: From: THE FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA BY REV. EDGAR GARFIELD THOMAS, A. B., B. D. SAVANNAH, GEORGIA Copyright, 1925 By E. G. Thomas, Author. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/chatham/history/other/gms371the1staf.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 6.4 Kb