First African Baptist Church (Philadelphia)

It was founded by 13 former congregants of the primarily white First Baptist Church of Philadelphia whom were ex-slaves from the eastern shore of Virginia.

[1] Membership again outgrew their building and in 1902 the congregation purchased a lot at 16th & Christian Streets from the estate of brick manufacturer, James J. Milnamow for $16,500 (approximately $560,000 in 2022 dollars).

It helped establish the Reliable Mutual Aid Society and the Cherry Building and Loan Association to help African American residents get insurance and mortgage loans, and the Downingtown Industrial and Agricultural School, a nonprofit boarding school that provided vocational education to poor African American children.

[6] Due to an inability to pay for the repairs to the historic building the church decided to sell to private developers.

[10] In 2017 The First African Baptist Church officially opened at its new location at 67th & Lansdowne Ave. in West Philadelphia.

First African Baptist Church, 16th & Christian, with historical marker in the foreground. Built in 1906. Designated on the National Historical Register
First African Baptist Church, 16th & Christian, with historical marker in the foreground. Built in 1906. Designated on the National Historical Register.