The Second African Baptist Church-Savannah, Georgia
Black History Month has been celebrated in February in the United States since 1976. It is a time to pay tribute to the generations of African Americans and their achievements and culture. Many historically Black churches will offer special sermons. They will have guest speakers. Churches will also provide educational sessions to uplift their congregations on the resilience of the Black community throughout history.
“Savannah’s Historic Second African Baptist Church, located on Greene Square, was established on December 26, 1802, with twenty-six members. These members were servants, skilled workers, and some freed Negroes who were living in Savannah, Ga. Rev. Henry Cunningham, a freed slave was our first pastor. He served faithfully as our pastor for thirty-nine years.
Second African Baptist Church, has always been the mecca of cultural affairs in the African-American community. On January 12, 1865, Rev. John Cox, one of our former pastors, met with General William T. Sherman and other religious black leaders to discuss the emancipation of slaves. Four days after General Sherman met with religious black leaders, it was in this church, General Sherman issued his famous Field Order #15, granting the newly freed slaves “40 acres and a mule.” To read more about this Historic church click here.
The church also served a role in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited the church and recited lines from his later “I have a dream” speech.
Savannah, Georgia is a year round visitors destination. With a treasure trove of histories sites, bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes to enjoy it all.
This is a wonderful post to share, for so many reasons. Thank you for the information included about the church and its history.
Thank you for sharing on this historic church and the events that define the reasons for the celebrations of this month of February. Love the photo of the church and its great tall tree. Well done.
thank you, happy you enjoyed it
You are most welcome!
Excellent post! WE need to keep these memories alive now that so much of our culture is under threat. This history belongs to ALL Americans and is a key part of our identity no matter what our background is.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com