First African Baptist Church, Hilton Head Island, SC

History of the First African Baptist Church

"Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
It was upon the rock of this faith that our Lord and Master established his church. Many organizations have been created in the history of man, but none was to be prevailing or as lasting as the Church of Christ. We have the word of Jesus for this established fact.

"Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
God knew that freedom from chattel slavery was not enough, not only must my people be free they must serve me.

First African Baptist Church - Established 1862

The First African Baptist Church was established in the village of Mitchelville. As early as April 1862 a military order was issued freeing blacks in the Sea Islands.

With the help of General Ormsby Mitchel who assumed command on September 17, 1862 the freed slaves were permitted to build their own houses, churches, schools and shops in Mitchelville. by March of 1863 the town was built and names in honor of General Mitchel. By 1865 Mitchelville contained "about 1500 souls". Religion was an important mainstay in their lives. Abraham Murchinson, "a colored man in the employ of the chief Quartermaster" was selected to be the minister in Mitchelville. It was stated that he started with twenty-five members. The following men served as officers under Rev. Murchinson: Dea. Ceasar Jones, Dea. Jim Riley, Dea. Stephen Hamilton, Dea. John Riley and Dea. Simon Grant.

The church moved from Mitchelville, after the people started moving to all parts of the Island to the Chaplin area across from what is known as Grant's Mini Mart. The name was changed to the Goodwill Baptist Church. Years later it moved to the Cross Roads, the present site, with the name Cross Roads Baptist Church now known as the First African Baptist Church. Ten acres of land was purchased from E. M. Murray for five dollars before May 1898. This church was to grow and prosper, and while it is still the fountainhead among Baptist churches on Hilton Head Island, five other churches have grown out of this beginning. They are, First Zion Baptist church in Bluffton, SC (1862), St. James (1886), Central Oak Grove (1887), Mt. Calvary (1915) and The New Church of Christ on Hilton Head (August 1938).