First African Baptist Church (Lexington, Kentucky)
Encyclopedia
First African Baptist Church is a historic church at 264-272 E. Short Street in Lexington, Kentucky
. The congregation was founded c. 1790 by Peter Durrett
and his wife, slaves who came to Kentucky with their master, Rev. Joseph Craig, in 1781 with "The Traveling Church" of Baptists from Spotsylvania, Virginia.
First African Baptist of Lexington is the oldest black Baptist church in Kentucky and the third oldest in the United States; it is the oldest black congregation west of the Allegheny Mountains
. In 1850 it had more than 1,800 members, the largest congregation in the state. By 1861 the congregation at this building numbered 2,223 members. The nineteenth-century Italianate church was constructed in 1856 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1986. Today the congregation worships at a newer church at 635 Price Road.
of his white father, Captain Duerrett of Caroline County, Virginia
. As a young man of 25, he converted to the Baptist faith and married an enslaved woman who lived on another plantation. Learning that her master intended to migrate to Kentucky, Peter asked for help from Duerrett, who traded him so the couple could stay together.
Peter and his wife migrated in 1781 with their master Rev. Joseph Craig and the Baptists of The Traveling Church from Spotsylvania, Virginia, led by Joseph's older brother Rev. Lewis Craig
. Because Peter helped the military leader, Captain William Ellis, guide the several hundred migrants on the arduous 600-mile journey through the Appalachian Mountains
, he was known as Old Captain after the trip. By 1784 Old Captain and his wife were members of a Separatist Baptist church at Boone's Creek, where Joseph Craig was pastor.
Soon after, Peter and his wife got permission to be hired out and moved to Lexington. There they hired themselves to the pioneer
John Maxwell, who let them build a cabin on his property at Maxwell Spring in Lexington. This is where Peter began preaching to fellow slaves. The 19th-century religious historian Robert Hamilton Bishop
noted that Mrs. Durrett was integral to forming the first congregation:
Durrett and his wife gathered about 50 congregants, most of whom Durrett baptized. About 1790, the members united as the First African Church (now known as the First African Baptist Church in Lexington) and Durrett began to administer the Lord's Supper
. This is the oldest black Baptist church in Kentucky and the third oldest in the United States. It is also the oldest black church west of the Allegheny Mountains
. Its early congregants were slaves and free blacks
from the Lexington area. The congregation bought its first property in 1815. In 1816 it started a religious school, which continued with lay teachers and classes in various locations.
Their first deed for land was dated in July 1820, for property purchased by the trustees: Rolla Blue, William Gist, Solomon Walker, and James Pullock, all free men of color. In July 1822 by written covenant, the church was admitted to fellowship by the First Baptist Church of Lexington (a white congregation). Durrett lived until 1823, when he was said to be near 90. His congregation then numbered near 300.
Durrett was succeeded in 1823 by Rev. London Ferrill
, who was appointed preacher by the city trustees. A former slave from Hanover County, Virginia
, he was freed as a young man by his master's widow. (He may have been his first master's son, as he is believed to have been of mixed race.) Although not formally educated, Ferrill was a powerful preacher and worked as a skilled carpenter. He and his wife migrated to Kentucky and settled in Lexington. He was ordained as a preacher by the First Baptist Church (majority white) before being called to the First African Baptist Church.
Ferrill served nearly 31 years. After his appointment, his church was received into the Elkhorn Association of the Baptist Church. With the continuing growth of Lexington, the First African Baptist congregation attracted many new members, both free and enslaved. In 1833 the church purchased the former Old Methodist Meeting House and met there for some years. Ferrill led its growth from 280 to 1,820 members by 1850, when it was the largest church in Kentucky, black or white.
During the cholera
epidemic
of 1833, Ferrill was one of three clergy who stayed in the city to care for people; his own wife died during the crisis. He was said to marry slaves with the words: "united until death or distance did them part." In 1854 Ferrill died suddenly of a heart attack. His funeral procession of nearly 5,000 persons to his burial at the Old Episcopal Burying Ground of Christ Church
was said to be the largest in Lexington after that of the statesman
Henry Clay
two years before. Ferrill was the only black to be buried there.
In 1856 First African Baptist completed their new building, designed in the popular Italianate style with large, arched windows. By the beginning of the American Civil War
in 1861, the congregation numbered 2,223. After the war, together with many other black Baptist churches, the congregation withdrew from the Elkhorn Baptist Association, as they wanted to be independent of any white supervision. First African Baptist soon joined a state association of black Baptist congregations. Today the congregation is part of the National Baptist Convention, USA, the largest association of African-American Baptists.
In 1987, the First African Baptist congregation sold its historic building downtown to the nearby Central Christian Church, which has used it as a childcare center. They are considering sale of the historic structure. The First African Baptist congregation moved to a new facility at 635 Price Road.
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. The congregation was founded c. 1790 by Peter Durrett
Peter Durrett
Peter Durrett was a Baptist preacher and slave, who with his wife founded the First African Baptist Church of Lexington, Kentucky by 1790. By his death, the congregation reached nearly 300 persons...
and his wife, slaves who came to Kentucky with their master, Rev. Joseph Craig, in 1781 with "The Traveling Church" of Baptists from Spotsylvania, Virginia.
First African Baptist of Lexington is the oldest black Baptist church in Kentucky and the third oldest in the United States; it is the oldest black congregation west of the Allegheny Mountains
Allegheny Mountains
The Allegheny Mountain Range , also spelled Alleghany, Allegany and, informally, the Alleghenies, is part of the vast Appalachian Mountain Range of the eastern United States and Canada...
. In 1850 it had more than 1,800 members, the largest congregation in the state. By 1861 the congregation at this building numbered 2,223 members. The nineteenth-century Italianate church was constructed in 1856 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1986. Today the congregation worships at a newer church at 635 Price Road.
History
Peter Durrett was born into slavery on the plantationPlantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
of his white father, Captain Duerrett of Caroline County, Virginia
Caroline County, Virginia
Caroline County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 28,545. Its county seat is Bowling Green. Caroline County is also home to The Meadow stables, the birthplace of the renowned racehorse Secretariat, winner of the 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and...
. As a young man of 25, he converted to the Baptist faith and married an enslaved woman who lived on another plantation. Learning that her master intended to migrate to Kentucky, Peter asked for help from Duerrett, who traded him so the couple could stay together.
Peter and his wife migrated in 1781 with their master Rev. Joseph Craig and the Baptists of The Traveling Church from Spotsylvania, Virginia, led by Joseph's older brother Rev. Lewis Craig
Lewis Craig
Sir Lewis Craig, Lord Wrightslands , was a Scottish judge.Craig was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Craig of Riccarton, by Helen, daughter of Heriot of Traboun. He was educated at Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.A. in 1597...
. Because Peter helped the military leader, Captain William Ellis, guide the several hundred migrants on the arduous 600-mile journey through the Appalachian Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
, he was known as Old Captain after the trip. By 1784 Old Captain and his wife were members of a Separatist Baptist church at Boone's Creek, where Joseph Craig was pastor.
Soon after, Peter and his wife got permission to be hired out and moved to Lexington. There they hired themselves to the pioneer
American pioneer
American pioneers are any of the people in American history who migrated west to join in settling and developing new areas. The term especially refers to those who were going to settle any territory which had previously not been settled or developed by European or American society, although the...
John Maxwell, who let them build a cabin on his property at Maxwell Spring in Lexington. This is where Peter began preaching to fellow slaves. The 19th-century religious historian Robert Hamilton Bishop
Robert Hamilton Bishop
Robert Hamilton Bishop was a Scottish-American educator and Presbyterian minister who became the first president of Miami University in Ohio...
noted that Mrs. Durrett was integral to forming the first congregation:
"His wife was also particularly active in providing accommodations for the people, and in encouraging them to be in earnest about the things which belonged to their everlasting peace."Durrett applied to the local Baptist association for ordination, accompanied by numerous people seeking baptism. He had hesitated to baptize them without ordination. The association did not ordain Durrett, but "directed him to go on in the name of their common Master." Durrett began to baptize persons he believed ready.
Durrett and his wife gathered about 50 congregants, most of whom Durrett baptized. About 1790, the members united as the First African Church (now known as the First African Baptist Church in Lexington) and Durrett began to administer the Lord's Supper
Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper may refer to:*Eucharist, Mass or Communion, a rite in Christianity*The Last Supper, the last meal Jesus of Nazareth shared with his disciples in the collection of Christian Scriptures called The Holy Bible....
. This is the oldest black Baptist church in Kentucky and the third oldest in the United States. It is also the oldest black church west of the Allegheny Mountains
Allegheny Mountains
The Allegheny Mountain Range , also spelled Alleghany, Allegany and, informally, the Alleghenies, is part of the vast Appalachian Mountain Range of the eastern United States and Canada...
. Its early congregants were slaves and free blacks
Free people of color
A free person of color in the context of the history of slavery in the Americas, is a person of full or partial African descent who was not enslaved...
from the Lexington area. The congregation bought its first property in 1815. In 1816 it started a religious school, which continued with lay teachers and classes in various locations.
Their first deed for land was dated in July 1820, for property purchased by the trustees: Rolla Blue, William Gist, Solomon Walker, and James Pullock, all free men of color. In July 1822 by written covenant, the church was admitted to fellowship by the First Baptist Church of Lexington (a white congregation). Durrett lived until 1823, when he was said to be near 90. His congregation then numbered near 300.
Durrett was succeeded in 1823 by Rev. London Ferrill
London Ferrill
London Ferrill, also spelled Ferrell, was a former slave who became the second preacher of the First African Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, serving from 1823–1854. During his 31 years of service, Ferrill attracted and baptized many new members in the growing region; by 1850 the church had...
, who was appointed preacher by the city trustees. A former slave from Hanover County, Virginia
Hanover County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 86,320 people, 31,121 households, and 24,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile . There were 32,196 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...
, he was freed as a young man by his master's widow. (He may have been his first master's son, as he is believed to have been of mixed race.) Although not formally educated, Ferrill was a powerful preacher and worked as a skilled carpenter. He and his wife migrated to Kentucky and settled in Lexington. He was ordained as a preacher by the First Baptist Church (majority white) before being called to the First African Baptist Church.
Ferrill served nearly 31 years. After his appointment, his church was received into the Elkhorn Association of the Baptist Church. With the continuing growth of Lexington, the First African Baptist congregation attracted many new members, both free and enslaved. In 1833 the church purchased the former Old Methodist Meeting House and met there for some years. Ferrill led its growth from 280 to 1,820 members by 1850, when it was the largest church in Kentucky, black or white.
During the cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
epidemic
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
of 1833, Ferrill was one of three clergy who stayed in the city to care for people; his own wife died during the crisis. He was said to marry slaves with the words: "united until death or distance did them part." In 1854 Ferrill died suddenly of a heart attack. His funeral procession of nearly 5,000 persons to his burial at the Old Episcopal Burying Ground of Christ Church
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is the name of many Anglican cathedrals around the world, and may refer to:-Canada:*Christ Church Cathedral , New Brunswick*Christ Church Cathedral , Quebec*Christ Church Cathedral , Ontario...
was said to be the largest in Lexington after that of the statesman
Statesman
A statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
two years before. Ferrill was the only black to be buried there.
In 1856 First African Baptist completed their new building, designed in the popular Italianate style with large, arched windows. By the beginning of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in 1861, the congregation numbered 2,223. After the war, together with many other black Baptist churches, the congregation withdrew from the Elkhorn Baptist Association, as they wanted to be independent of any white supervision. First African Baptist soon joined a state association of black Baptist congregations. Today the congregation is part of the National Baptist Convention, USA, the largest association of African-American Baptists.
In 1987, the First African Baptist congregation sold its historic building downtown to the nearby Central Christian Church, which has used it as a childcare center. They are considering sale of the historic structure. The First African Baptist congregation moved to a new facility at 635 Price Road.
Honors
- The 1856 church building was added to the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1986. - 2008, Christ Church Cathedral named its community garden for London Ferrill, second preacher of First African Baptist.
- In 2010 Christ Church helped gain approval for a city monument installed in honor of London Ferrill at the Old Episcopal Burying Ground. The state has also memorialized the site with a highway marker.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in KentuckyNational Register of Historic Places listings in KentuckyThis is a list of properties and historic districts in Kentucky that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are listings in all of Kentucky's 120 counties....