First Baptist Church (Raleigh, North Carolina)

First Baptist Church of Raleigh
First Baptist Church in 2015
Religion
Affiliation	Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF)
District	CBFNC
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Organized 1812
Status	Active
Location
Location	99 N. Salibury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27603
State	North Carolina
Architecture
Completed	1859

First Baptist Church of Raleigh is located in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. The church was the first Baptist church in the city of Raleigh, organized in 1812, and is one of the oldest churches in the area. The church is located on 99 North Salisbury Street, directly across the street from the Capitol. First Baptist Church is affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF).[1]

The Church began in 1812 with 23 members, 14 of whom were "Negro slaves." By 1826 there were 157 black members, and 77 white members. In 1866 the 200 Negro members organized a church of their own, while the 226 white members stayed at First Baptist.[2]

Charles Francis Meserve, was a member of the church and was licensed to preach at this location, despite not being ordained.[3]

References

1. First Baptist Church web-page www.fbcraleigh.org
2. "Raleigh Baptist Church Once Had Slave Members". Christian Science Monitor. 28 November 1938. ProQuest 514722753.
3. Ashe, Samuel A'Court (1905). Biographical History of North Carolina From Colonial Times to the Present. New York Public Library. Greensboro, N.C., C.L. Van Noppen. pp. 342–348 – via Internet Archive.