First African Baptist Church

First African Baptist Church is a Pennsylvania historical marker in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, dedicated 2017.

Philadelphia County · dedicated 2017 · 6700 Lansdowne Ave., Philadelphia

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Founded in 1809, it is one of the first black Baptist churches in America and the oldest in Pa. In 1832, two members, John and Samuel Bivins, sold themselves into slavery to free an enslaved man, James Burroughs, to serve as pastor. After a year, Burroughs paid the slaveowner and the Bivinses were freed. F.A.B members helped found Downingtown Industrial School and many Philadelphia-area churches. Booker T. Washington spoke at the church centennial.

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Marker data: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission via data.pa.gov

First African Baptist Church

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