Early Churches

Early Churches

Sign #4 at Allen Chapel, 103 E. Broadway

Prior to the Civil War, enslaved African Americans worshipped at white churches, because they were not permitted to form their own congregations. Following Emancipation, several African American congregations had churches in the N. Highland Street area.

Establishment dates are taken from deeds of trustees purchasing property on which to build a church. While this may not be precisely accurate, other data are simply not available. Other documentation comes from county records and a few published church histories.

Allen Chapel CME

The first black church established was a Methodist congregation that became Allen Chapel CME. Their history states that “a number of years before the Emancipation, the black people of this locality were permitted to worship in the basement of the First Methodist Church.” Then, in February 1866, Joshua Neale and his wife sold a lot at the corner of Broadway and Highland Street to John Allen, James Winn and John Massie, trustees for the church. In 1870 the congregation joined the newly formed Colored Methodist Episcopal (CME) denomination. They built a frame church and parsonage; the former was replaced with a brick edifice in 1898 that still stands.

The church had a long history but membership declined in recent years. The congregation is no longer active, and the building has been purchased by First Baptist Church.

Allen Chapel CME today

First Baptist Church during construction, 1930

First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church was established in 1867. According to a church history prepared by Rev. Alvin W. Farris, the congregation first met in the home of Henry and Dullie Ecton. Members were drawn from Old Friendship Baptist and other churches around the county. In August 1867 John and Anne Madigan sold a lot on North Highland Street to Madison Gentry, John Woodford and Lewis Hood, trustees for the Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Farris stated that the congregation rented a building on South Church Street (Church Alley) until members could erect a 30 by 36 foot structure on their lot.

A brick church was built in 1893, and it was replaced in 1930 by the present brick structure on Highland Street. The sanctuary has been completely updated and beautiful stained-glass windows installed. Their expanded campus now includes a Family Life Center/gymnasium. The Harris Hoops Summer Basketball League was inaugurated there in 2017. The congregation is ably led today by their community-minded pastor, Rev. Marvin King.

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