OUR HISTORY
In 1880, a group of God-fearing men and women under the leadership of Rev. Johnson A Carter, Charles Brooks and others secured a church site and building from Mr. McPhaul on Pope and Main Street, which later moved to Isabella Street, this church was given the name, Brooks Chapel in honor of Deacon Charles Brooks. About 1885, Rev. Willis Warren, Moderator of the Fowlstown Baptist Association, with Deacons Julius Caldwell, Charles Brooks, and Augustus Carter purchased the present site and erected a wooden structure. In 1900, by vote of the church, the name was changed to "The First African Baptist Church."
Rev. Tillman Sims pastored from 1885-1915. Other pastors followed in this order: Rev. George Hunter, Rev. A.R. Starling, Rev. T.J. Simpson, Rev. R.W. Wiggins, Rev. J.T. Carter, Rev. Henry L. Flowers, Sr., Rev. Henry S. Clark, Rev. Charles Luke, Jr., Dr. James Adams, Dr. Marcus L. Stroud, and now Pastor Zachery Powell.
The wooden building burned in the late 1920s under the leadership of Rev. T.J. Simpson. Several years later, the present structure was erected and the cornerstone was laid at a later date. The first service held in the new building was the funeral of Mrs. Lille Braswell on January 8, 1928. Services have been held at 606 West Pope Street every since.
