First African Baptist Church (1789) Philadelphia, PA.

First African Baptist Church In Philadelphia (c. Library Comapny)

Originally located at 10th and Vine streets, this church is one of the oldest African-American Baptist churches in the nation.  The first pastor, Reverend Henry Cunningham, helped secure the first location and served until 1813.  He was followed by Reverend John King and Reverend James Burrows, an enslaved African whose freedom was secured by two members of the congregation, Samuel Bivins and his cousin.  In 1896, Dr. William Creditt became pastor, and it was during his tenure that the First African Baptist Church became one of the outstanding religious institutions in the world.  Under Creditt’s guidance, the church organized The Society, the first insurance company to serve Black Philadelphians. The Society was later moved to 10th and Cherry streets, where Creditt founded the Cherry Building and Loan Association, as well as the Downington Industrial School, currently the Downington Industrial and Agricultural School. The cornerstone for the church’s current building was laid in 1906.  (For more on this church, see reseach Slavery in Pennsylvania.)