First African Baptist Church is a church in

Beaufort, South Carolina Beaufort ( , a different pronunciation from that used by the city with the same name in North Carolina) is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South ...

, that was built by freed slaves after the American Civil War. It is at 601 New Street.

Robert Smalls Robert Smalls (April 5, 1839 – February 23, 1915) was an American politician, publisher, businessman, and maritime pilot. Born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina, he freed himself, his crew, and their families during the American Civil W ...

was a member of the congregation. Rev. Arthur Waddell was one of its organizers. According to a historical marker at the church it is constructed in the

Carpenter Gothic Carpenter Gothic, also sometimes called Carpenter's Gothic or Rural Gothic, is a North American architectural style-designation for an application of Gothic Revival architectural detailing and picturesque massing applied to wooden structures ...

style. The church ran a school. The church is part of the Beaufort Historic District.https://www.thestate.com/living/religion/article13938428.html The State website

References

Church organization Baptist churches in South Carolina Buildings and structures in Beaufort, South Carolina Carpenter Gothic church buildings in South Carolina Year of establishment missing {{SouthCarolina-church-stub