USA > Louisiana > History of Louisiana Negro Baptists : from 1804 to 1914 > Part 13
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Hartshorn Memorial College, Richmond, Va., founded in 1884 was another female school. Pres- ident L. B. Tefft in 1887 had an enrollment of 96 girls. Property value was $35,000.
The Creen Freedman School, Tullahassee, I. T., was established in 1883, Professor C. E. Burdick, Superintendent. In 1887 it had three teachers, 6 pupils and property valued at $6,000.
In 1887 there were in the Home Mission schools alone 23 Negro teachers; 2,739 scholars; 437 preparing to preach ; 963 preparing to teach ; 35 desiring to go to Africa as missionaries and 38 studying medicine.
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SOME OF THE FIRST NEGRO BAPTIST NEWSPAPERS AND EDITORS.
African Expositor, Bishop N. F. Roberts, Ral- eigh, N. C .; American Baptist, Dr. William J. Simmons, and Brother W. H. Stewart, Louisville, Ky .; Arkansas Baptist, Dr. E. C. Morris, Little Rock, Ark .; Arkansas Review, Bishop J. T. White, Helena, Ark .; Baptist Advocate, Bishop A. S. Jackson, D. D., and Elder S. T. Clanton, D. D., New Orleans, La .; Baptist Beacon, Bishop W. R. Boone, B. D., Springfield, O .; Baptist Mes- senger, Hon. J. J. Spelman, Jackson, Miss .; Bap- tist Preacher, Elder A. R. Griggs, Dallas, Texas ; Georgia Baptist, Bishop W. J. White, Augusta, Ga .; Baptist Signal, Bishop G. W. Gales, Green- ville, Miss .; Living Way, Elder W. A. Brinkly, Memphis, Tenn .; Memphis Watchman, Brother J. T. Turner, Memphis, Tenn .; National Monitor, Bishop R. L. Perry, Ph. D., Brooklyn, N. Y .; Western Herald, Elders R. De Baptist, A. John- son, R. M. Duling and T. L. Smith, Keokuk, Ia .; Richmond Planet, John Mitchell, Jr., Richmond, Va., West Virginia Enterprise, Elder C. H. Payne, Charleston, West Va .; Weekly, Bishops R. R. Wright and E. K. Love, Augusta Georgia; Baptist Watchover, Brother W. H. Anderson, Evansville, Indianapolis; Mountain Gleaner, Elder E. H. Lipscombe, Asheville, N. C .; C .; Baptist Pilot, Elders L. G. Jordan and F. G. Davis, Waco, Tex .; Baptist Tribune, Dr. E. M. Brawley, Columbia, S. C .; Baptist Leader, Bish- op A. N. McEwen, Montgomery, Ala .; Herald, Brother J. C. Duke, Montgomery, Ala .; African Missions, Professor J. E. Jones, Richmond, Va .; The Caret, Elder C. D. Cooley, Newport News, Va .; Marion Headlight, Brother J. L. Fleming,
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Marion, Ark .; Pioneer Press, Brother J. R. Clif- ford, Martinsburge, West Va .; Golden Epoch, Brother C. H. W. Stewart, Helena, Ark .; Bap- tist Banner, Brother J. W. Browdwe, Columbus, Kans .; Texas Pioneer, Professor S. M. Smothers, Brazoria, Tex .; Seven Mansions, N. O. Bryant, Calvert, Tex .; Busy Bee, Brother E. J. Jones, Greenville, Miss .; Baptist Review (magazine), Bishop E. R. Carter, Atlanta, Ga .; Missouri Bap- tist Standard, Brother G. H. McDaniel, Palmyra, Mo .; Pulpit and Desk (quarterly), Bishop Bird Wilkins, B. D., St. Paul, Minn.
These are only some of the many papers-re- ligious and secular published by Baptist Editors as early as 1887. Drs. Brawley and Perry said at that time that there were as many more, whose names could not be obtained.
OTHER EARLY ORGANIZATIONS. NEW YORK STATE.
Dr. Richard B. Cook says that the Mount Olivet Baptist Church, West 53d Street, New York City, was organized in 1878 with 21 members,. and with five dollars in the treasury. At this time they worshipped in a hall and were under the care of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Chruch (white). Mount Olivet flourished under the pas- torate of Bishop D. W. Wisher of Norfolk, Va. The church was organized and the pastor or- dained on the same day, May 30th, 1878. Elder Armitage preaching the sermon.
It was not long before this hall became too small for the great crowds that came to hear the Gospel. Over 500 were added to the church by baptism, 250 by letter and 300 by experience. As early as 1886 this church had an active member-
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ship of 700, besides, $40,000 had been raised for church expenses; $6,000 for missions at home and abroad, and $16,000 for repairs and interest.
The Southern New York Association, April, 1884, assisted this membership in purchasing the splendid granite church edifice it now (1887) occupies. This was the church of Bishop Cheever, valued at $125,000, with a seating ca- pacity of 2,000. Its organ cost $5,000. The dedication services occurred June 15th, 1884, Dr. Harvey Johnson preaching in the forenoon, Dr. Armitage in the afternoon and Bishop T. D. Mil- ler at night. The dedication prayer was prayed by Bishop H. Williams, Jr. On the following Thursday the venerable Elder Cheever delivered an address of much interest, and a letter from the poet J. G. Whittier was read.
God gave this pioneer church many friends of means, among them were Bishop H. F. Barnes, S. S. Constant, and B. F. Judson who gave from $500 to $8,000. John D. Rockefeller, the rich- est of men, gave one-fourth of the entire cost of the property.
FIRST MARYLAND BAPTIST CHURCHES.
A Negro Baptist preacher whose name I can- not now obtain gathered a few Baptists in a private house in Baltimore, Md., in 1818, and in 1836 the first Baptist Church was organized in the State of Maryland. Moses Clayton, a Vir- ginia slave, came to Baltimore in 1834. He could read, write, and speak with fluency. He worked at the carpenter's trade during the week and preached the Word with power and demonstra- tion on Sundays. "He began a school with three children, two of them his own. Often he preached
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to an audience comprising his wife and two or three others, and spoke with much earnestness as if addressing a thousand." A church . was formed with 8 or 10, and Bishop Moses Clayton was ordained pastor of Maryland's first church.
In 1865 Bishop L. Hicks being pastor, suffi- cient money was collected for a house of worship into which they moved from the old school house. In 1880 a larger house was built in a more suit- able location, costing $16,000. The present pas- tor (1887) is Bishop J. C. Allen.
In 1852, the Union Baptist Church, Baltimore, Md., was organized with 57 members. Elder J. Cary was the first pastor. By 1887 the member- ship had grown from 57 in 1852 to 2,000. Bishop Harvey Johnson, who was pastor of this church prior to 1887, and is now pastor (1914), stands high in his community. He is a graduate of Wayland Seminary. He took charge of his church in 1872 with only 278 members. In 1876 they entered their new house of worship, which cost $20,000. All of this thay paid in four years, ex- cepting $500. The pastor of this church was the. prime mover in bringing Maryland Baptists to- gether in a State Convention. There were in the state as early, or earlier than 1887, 20 churches, 6,000 members, 15 ministers and $150,000 worth of church property.
FIRST BAPTIST ORGANIZATIONS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Bishop Walter H. Brooks says that: "The Baptists of Washington, D. C., organized their first church and erected their first meeting house at the corner of 19th and I Streets, in 1802. There were six constituent mem-
236 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
bers, all white. In process of time many colored persons were received as members. The house of worship had in 1833, become too small for the congregation and the old house was aban- doned for a new one on 10th Street. The colored people were encouraged to continue in the old building. Finally the property was sold to the colored Baptists of the District. They had then, 1833, no church organization. They were members of the church on 10th street although they had their separate place of worship, and a Sunday-school for their children.
A number of colored Baptists who had come to Washington formed themselves into a Baptist Church in 1839. The church numbered four, of whom one, Emily Cook, now (1887) lives. As soon as the church was formed the colored mem- bers of the church on 10th Street, united with the new body and the property on 19th Street passed into their hands. In 1846 they numbered 202, from 1865 to 1873 they had increased from 370 to 1191, and in 1876 the membership was 1200, but a revision of the roll reduced it to 1086, the present number. The first pastor was Bishop S. White, and the present one is Dr. Wal- ter H. Brooks.
From this church has gone out: The Second, Fourth, Fifth, Salem and Berean churches. Since 1860 other Baptist churches have sprung up that are not off-shoots of the First Church. There are today in the District between 20 and 30 Baptist Churches, many of which have a mem- bership of between 1,000 and 1,800. They own some valuable church property, such as that of the Shiloh, First, Liberty, Fourth, Fifth, Berean, and others too numerous to name, which shows
New Orleans.
CITY MINISTERS' UNION,
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to what good use thousands of the money of this people have been put."
Revs. Brooks, Walker, Lee, Johnson, Howard, of the Zion Church, preach to large congregations.
VIRGINIA BAPTIST'S BEGINNINGS.
I am informed that the First White Baptist Church of Richmond, Va., was organized with 14 members, in 1780, when Richmond was a vil- lage of 1800 inhabitants, one half of whom were Negroes. "Since 1863 the Colored Baptists have constituted themselves separately, and have their own associations," says one writer. The First African Baptist Church of Richmond existed be- fore the War.
Bishop R. Ryland, D. D., President of Rich- mond College, was the pastor of this church for 25 years, and during his pastorate there bap- tised more than 3,800 persons. This house of worship was built between the years 1790 and 1800, and set apart for the use of the Colored Baptists, when the white Baptists erected for themselves a new church in 1841. This old Negro church house was historic, and was pub- lished in the list of places to be visited by the stranger in the city, who took Sunday for the purpose, to hear the excellent music. Within its walls some of the most important meetings have been held, and some of the most distinguished men have spoken.
The Virginia Convention of 1829-30 met here. Madison and Marshall were there. It was the last time these distinguished men held a seat in a public assembly.
In April, 1861, 'the largest meeting ever held in that church took place in behalf of the Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws."
In 1864, a famous meeting took place in this Negro Church building, the object of which was to urge the people to renewed resistance to the Federal Army then thundering at the gates of Richmond. Addresses were made by Jefferson Davis, J. P. Benjamin and others.
Here also was held, after the surrender, a meeting of the Freedmen, "the first ever held in the South."
In those days such men as Horace Greely, Ger- ritt Davis, Henry Wilson, and General Howard addressed the multitudes in this old church house. The African Church was the place both before and after the war for all great meetings. This famous old Negro house of worship was torn down in 1876, to make way for the present elegant structure which costs $40,000, seats 2,500 people, and has an organ costing $2,500. Bishop J. H. Holmes, the present (1887) pastor, took charge in 1867 when the membership was three thousand. Since then 5,000 have been added, and eleven other churches have been or- ganized of material from this church. In 1887, the Sunday-school numbered 600 pupils; the church collections amounting to $4,000 annually.
The pastor of this church, though born a slave, educated himself and became a power for good in his day; baptizing June, 1878, at one time, 268 souls; on another day 598, and at another time in 1887, two hundred believers. The Sec- ond Baptist Church has a membership of 3,000. Another of the early organizations in Virginia
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is the church which was organized at Portsmouth in 1798.
The First Church, Manchester, Va., held its meetings apart from the whites the first time in 1821, at the house of Mrs. Nancy Rasfield. At this time they were few in number, and were a branch of the Spring Creek Church. Their num- bers increased under their white pastors until when they purchased ground and erected a frame meeting house. These white pastors, however, were assisted by colored preachers. This church built its first brick house of worship in 1854, and in 1865, Bishop R. Wells, their first colored pastor took charge. He was followed in 1872 by Elder A. Binga. In 1869 they entered. their present (1887) house of worship, which seats 1,400 people, and costs $18,000. Present membership is 1,512, after furnishing material for three churches within 15 years.
As early as 1887 the Fourth Church, Bishop E. Paine, pastor, numbers 1,400; Ebenezer, Elder R. Wells, pastor, 1,600; and the Second Baptist Church, Bishop W. Troy, pastor, 3,000. Elder John Jasper at this time was preaching to large congregations, and Bishop H. Williams was pre- paring a history of Negro Virginia Baptists.
The officers of the Virginia Baptist State Con- vention in 1887 were: Elder J. M. Armistead, President; Bishops A. Gordon, A. Truatt, A. H. Lewis, and H. W. Dickerson, Vice-President3; Bishop H. H. Mitchell, Corresponding Secretary ; Elder A. Binga, Jr., Recording Secretary; and J. E. Farrar, Treasurer.
By 1887, this convention had employed six mis- sionaries, raised $3,000 for missions, and paid to missionaries in Africa $2,250. The Secretary
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and Agent of their Foreign Mission Board was Bishop J. A. Taylor. Lynchburg Baptists had bought a $1,800 lot overlooking the city on which to establish a denominational school of high grade. West Virginia Baptists, in 1887, num- bered 1800 with 25 churches, 3 associations and one State Convention, and the Executive Board had purchased school property for the erection of an Academic, Normal and Industrial School. .
The originator of the school movement was Bishop C. H. Payne who was to be the President of the Institution.
TENNESSEE BAPTISTS BEGINNINGS.
It appears that they began their work with the organization of the First Baptist Church, Nash- ville, Tenn. By 1887 this church had a member- ship of 2,500. Their house of worship cost $26,000 with a seating capacity of 1300. At this early date Tennessee Baptists also had a large house of worship at Memphis, for which they" paid $100,000 cash. They had 10 associations in the state with more than 35,000 members.
Officers of their State Convention, at the 14th Anniversary held at Winchester in 1886 were: Bishop R. V. Vandervell, D. D., President; Elders C. C. Russell, J. Bransford and I. Trimble, Vice- Presidents; Bishop B. Frierson, Recording Sec- retary; Elder B. A. Franklin, Corresponding Secretary; and Elder A. Buchanan, Treasurer.
The Annual Sermon at this session was preached by Bishop S. M. Dickinson, and inspir- ing addresses were made by Bishops H. Wood- small and D. A. Franklin.
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NORTH CAROLINA NEGRO BAPTISTS EARLY WORK.
In 1887 Bishop N. F. Roberts said : "The State Convention of North Carolina was organ- ized in 1886. Then the Colored Baptists had but few churches in the state, and most of these had neither house of worship nor pastor. There are now 500 ministers; 850 churches; 110,000 mem- bers; 850 Sunday-schools; 3500 teachers, and 75,000 scholars. There are several academies of high grade preparing students for Shaw Uni- versity. During the last 20 years God has great- ly prospered us. Our preachers have planted churches in many destitute fields, and the peo- ple are hearing the word with gladness. Over 8,000 were baptised last year. Many brethren of other denominations have learned the truth as we hold it and have united with us. Within the past year many of the churches have pro- vided themselves with comfortable houses of worship."
FIRST WORK AMONG KENTUCKY BAPTISTS.
Earlier than 1887, Brother W. H. Steward said that the Fifth Church, Louisville, Ky., formed in 1839, had the finest building and largest con- gregation in the state. Bishop J. H. Frank was pastor in 1887, and holds forth now (1914). His flock numbered 1500 about 30 years ago. The Fifth Church was a model church, having a splendid choir. Kentucky Baptists led other de- nominations in the state in point of numbers and actual Christian work.
Dr. Everets said: "The Colored Baptists are sharing the progressive spirit of the white
churches, and have increased to fifteen churches, with almost five thousand members in Louisville.
Bishop C. C. Stum said that Elder G. W. Dupee was the Nestor of Kentucky Baptists. This Pi- oneer Baptist was the prime mover in most of the first Kentucky organizations. These early organizers wrought well in the matter of setting up churches, associations and conventions.
They held their 17th session of the General Association of Kentucky at Danville, in 1885. This shows that the fathers started this work as early as 1868. Officers of this Association in 1887 were: Bishop P. Johnson, Moderator ; Elders D. A. Gaddie, P. H. Kennedy, Assistant Modera- tors; Brother W. H. Steward, Recording Secre- tary; Brother Q. B. Jones, Corresponding Sec- retary; and Bishop P. Alexander, Treasurer. Brother W. H. Steward was Chairman of Trustee Board. At this session 287 churches and 46,902 members were reported.
Officers of the State Women's Educational Convention : Mrs. A. V. Nelson, President; Mrs. M. B. Wallace, Secretary, and Miss L. C. Critten- den, Chairman Board of Managers.
In 1887, Dr. William J. Simmons was writing a History of Kentucky Negro Baptists, setting forth their wonderful achievements and marvel- ous growth.
Officers of North Carolina State Convention in 1887 were: Professor Roberts, President; Bishop A. M. Conway, Vice-President; Elder W. T. H. Woodward, Recording Secretary; Bishop J. O. Crosby, Corresponding Secretary; Bishop A. B. Williams, Treasurer; and Elder G. W. Holland, Auditor.
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SOUTH CAROLINA BAPTIST WORK BEFORE 1887.
We are informed that the Baptist Educational Missionary and Sunday School Convention of South Carolina was doing a noble work before 1887, and its Secretary, Bishop J. J. Durham, M. D., had asked for as much as $5,000 in one year for missions.
President I. P. Brockenton said : "The Con- vention is one of the great levers in lifting our people; it has done a great deal toward lifting our ministry to its present height. One of its grand objects is to give to our churches an edu- cated ministry."
Officers of this Convention in 1887 were: Brother I. P. Brockenton, President; Bishop J. C. Butler, Vice-President; Elder S. B. Stratfoot, Treasurer; Bishop J. J. Durham, M. D., Secre- tary; and E. M. Brawley, D. D., Historian. There were 100,000 Negro Baptists in the state of South Carolina in 1887.
GEORGIA BAPTIST BEGINNINGS.
Elsewhere in this chapter you will find full reference to the first Christian work done by Georgia Baptists. However, it may be of inter- est to add that the officers of their State Conven- tion in 1887 were: Elder C. J. Bryan, President; Bishop U. L. Houston, Vice-President; Brother J. H. Brown, Secretary ; Bishop T. J. Hornsby, As- sistant Secretary ; Elder C. H. Lyons, Correspond- ing Secretary, and Bishop J. T. Tolbert, Treas- urer.
This Convention was organized by the Georgia Pioneers in 1870. At their 16th Anniversary in
1886 sermons were preached by Bishops C. T. James, F. M. Simmons, and C. C. Terry. There were in the state at that time 42 Associations; 1301 churches, with 134,489 members, which was claimed to be the largest Negro membership in any state. Two missionaries were employed by the Convention, and more than $1,000 were ex- pended. The First Church, Savannah, Ga., claimed 4,000 members, and the First Church, Augusta, Ga., claimed a membership of 5,000. The Second Church was organized in 1803.
EARLY WORK OF FLORIDA BAPTISTS.
The officers of the General Convention in 1887 were: Bishop J. N. Stokes, President; Bishop T. Lancaster, Vice-President; Elder G. P. McKin- ney, Recording Secretary ; Bishop J. B. Hankers, Corresponding Secretary; and P. S. Sommers, Treasurer. The 1887 Session of the Convention was called to order by Elder J. A. Potter, and Bishops Jy-Felder, and J. G. Ross preached the principal sermons at this session. Brother Ross was at that time pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Fla., which had built a $2,000 parsonage, and sent Miss L. C. Fleming to Africa. As early as 1887 there were 27,000 Negro Baptists in the state, and more than $1300 was given in 1885 for the Florida Institute.
Officers of the Sunday School Convention were : Brother A. Dallas, President; Brother D. H. Brown, Recording Secretary; Brother J. W. Benton, Corresponding Secretary ; and Bishop M. Wiggins, Treasurer.
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ALABAMA BAPTISTS 1868-87.
Their work took organized form in a Conven- tional way in 1868 with Bishop Nathan Ashby as their first President. Then followed Elder J. Washington Stephens, in 1870: Bishop Prince Merrill, 1871-72; Elder James Foster, 1873-75; Bishop Mansfield Tyler, 1876-86; and Elder W. R. Pettiford, was elected President in 1887. There were at this time in the state 50 associations, 700 ministers, 800 churches, with 85,000 members. Valuation of their church property was $250,000.
EARLY WORK AMONG MISSISSIPPI NEGRO BAP- TISTS.
Concerning pioneer work among these breth- ren, Hon. J. J. Spelman says, as early as or be- fore 1886, that: "Mississippi had a State Con- vention, besides a General Association, having over 38,766 communicants, and a paper edited, and its whole mechanical department managed by colored men. They have also a College at Natch- ez worth $20,000 without a dollar of debt, with a President and faculty, all colored, and 165 stu- dents."
The officers of the General Association were: Bishop H. W. Bowen, Moderator; Elder A. Reed, Vice-Moderator; Bishop J. H. Nichols, Corre- sponding Secretary; Bishop H. M. Thompson, Recording Secretary; Hon. J. J. Spelman, Statis- tical Secretary ; and Elder A. Durham, Treasurer.
State Sunday School Convention officers were: Hon. J. J. Spelman, President; Bishops H. Wat- son, and H. M. Thompson, Vice-Presidents : Elder T. L. Jordan, Corresponding Secretary; Bishop
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J. H. Nichols, Recording Secretary; and Brother L. R. Shepherd, Treasurer.
During the 1886 session of the Association, $400 were raised for African Missions, and fare- well addresses were delivered by two of its mem- bers, namely, Bishop E. B. Topp and his wife. They went under appointment as missionaries to the Veys. The Introductory Sermon of this session was preached by Bishop G. W. Cohran ; Doctrinal Sermon by Elder J. F. Boulden; Edu- cational Sermon by Bishop T. L. Jordan, and the Temperance Sermon by Elder R. Ramsey. In 1887 Hon. J. J. Spelman was at work writing a History of Mississippi Negro Baptists.
TEXAS NEGRO BAPTISTS IN AND BEFORE 1887.
Elder A. R. Griggs is quoted as saying in 1887 that: "The Colored Baptists of Texas began as an independent people, with the ordination of Bishop Reinhardt in 1866 by the white Baptists. In the same year they ordained Elder S. Cobb of Waco and organized the first colored Baptist church. In 1867, Bishop I. S. Campbell came to Texas as Missionary of the Consolidated Conven- tion, and organized the first church of Galveston in 1867, and within a few months some 50 or 60 churches were formed by him, and the Lincoln Association was organized in 1867 at Houston. In 1880 this Association numbered 150 churches and 12,000 members. There are now 25 Asso- ciations, 795 churches, 664 Ministers, and 69,950 members.
The State Convention was organized in 1872, and the Sunday School Convention in 1880. The
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248 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
first denominational school for colored people originated in Dallas, in 1867, in the North West- ern Association, through the efforts of Bishop A. R. Griggs. It is still in operation at Brazoria. Bishop College and Hearne Academy are both Baptist Institutions. The latter was established by the colored State Convention, and to the form- er the colored Baptists contributed the lot, cost- ing $3,500. The late T. Hill of Austin, a colored man, bequeathed $6,000 to Hearne Academy.
Seguin Academy was founded by the Guada- lupe Association through the efforts of Elder W. B. Ball.
The first colored newspaper was started by Elder A. R. Griggs in 1867, and is known as the Baptist Pilot at Waco. To Elder I. S. Camp- bell, more than any other man, is due the credit for the formation of the present organizations in the state. In 1887 he celebrated his fiftieth year in the ministry and his twentieth year as pastor at Waco, where he has nearly completed the best brick church in the state. There are in the state 19 Women's Missionary Societies, and there has been collected for the year $13,474. The value of church property is $250,000.
Officers of the Texas State Convention were: Bishop W. Massey, President; Elder F. Hooks, Vice-President; Brother W. F. Smith, Recording Secretary; Professor David Abner, Jr., Corre- sponding Secretary; Brother A. Terrell, Treas- urer; and Bishop A. R. Griggs, Superintendent of Missions.
Sunday School Convention officers: Bishop J. Toliver, President; Hon. J. H. Stewart, Secre- tary; Brother M. Dudley, Treasurer; and Elder A. R. Griggs, State Evangelist.
EARLY WORK OF ARKANSAS BAPTISTS.
Before 1887 they had developed their work until 19 Associations had been organized, about 300 ministers ordained, more than 500 churches instituted with a membership of 30,000 mem- bers.
After their well-done work "the fathers" placed their mantles on the shoulders of younger men and went to their reward. The Presidential toga fell upon the shoulders of Bishop E. C. Mor- ris, who has worn it successfully not only among Arkansas Baptists but among the Baptists of America. By 1887, their church and education- al work was booming.
FIRST ORGANIZATION AMONG ILLINOIS BAPTISTS
According to Bishop R. DeBaptist was among the colored farmers near Alton. They were free people, some of them owning farms. They organized the Salem Baptist Church near Alton which is the oldest Negro Baptist Church in the state. Three or four other churches were organ- ized soon afterwards. Elder J. Livingston, Pi- oneer of Illinois Pioneers, with others organized the Wood River Association in 1838, which is probably the oldest Negro Baptist Association not only in the state of Illinois, but in the United States. By 1887, two Associations were the justly proud boast of Illinois Baptists-the Wood' River with 48 churches; 3500 members and 40. ministers; and the Mount Olive with 45 church- es; 2,000 members and 29 preachers. Elder De Baptist was pastor for nearly 19 years of one of the strongest churches in the Wood River Asso-
250 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
ciation, and instrumental in collecting and or- ganizing six churches.
The Western Baptist Convention originated from a movement in the Wood River Association in 1853. In this organization the Negro Baptists of St. Louis, Mo., took part.
The Olivet Church, Chicago, had Bishop R. De- Baptist as pastor from 1863 to 1882, during which time the membership increased from 100 to 600. They had a lot in 1887 which alone cost $13,000. The Bethesda Church went out of Olivet in 1883 with 43 members while Bishop J. A. D. Podd was pastor.
FIRST WORK OF MISSOURI BAPTIST.
Elder R. De Baptist said: "Probably the old- est Baptist Church in the West or Southwest is the First Church, St. Louis, Mo., organized about 1830. For years its first pastor was Rev. J. B. Meacham. He died in 1854 or '55, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. E. Cartwright, who was laid aside in 1873. From this church a large num- ber went out and formed the 2nd or 8th St. Church, now the Central. Its first pastor was Rev. J. R. Anderson who was perhaps the lead- ing Baptist minister of his race at this period, at least in the West. He was educated, and learned his trade in the Printing Office of Rev. E. P. Lovejoy, Alton, Ill. He was pastor till his death in 1863."
According to information from Bishop R. H. Brown, the Central Church was organized in 1846, with 25 members and now (1887) numbers 800. 1941 members had been received, and $108,512 expended for the Gospel at home and
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abroad; property valuation was $30,000. Elder . S. P. Anderson was pastor.
The Second Church, Kansas City, Mo., was or- ganized by Bishop C. Moore and twelve others in 1866. Several times their house of worship was torn down to make room for the growing con- gregation. Bishop H. Roberson was pastor. Their membership in 1887 was 475, and property valuation was $50,000. The Pleasant Green Bap- tist Church of Kansas City was formed in 1881, with 8 members. Their house cost $3,300; their membership was 283, Bishop J. Morgan, pastor.
Through the efforts of Elder R. H. Brown the Berean Baptist Church of this same city was or- ganized in 1882.
DENOMINATIONAL STATISTICS IN 1887.
As early as 1887, Bishop R. De Baptist said that there were in the United States 1,071,902 colored Baptist Church members, organized into churches and associations. He said of the 311 associations organized, 255 reported 9,079 church- es; 218 reported 4,590 ordained ministers ; 90 re- ported 2,603 Sunday-schools; 94 reported 143,832 ' Sunday-school pupils; 58 reported $1,334,092 valuation of church property ; 153 reported $181, 063.41 contributions for religious and educa- tional work; 168 reported 39,151 baptisms.
In 1887, Dr. William J. Simmons said : "I
claim that there are in the United States more colored Baptists than white Baptists, and more colored Baptists than all Pedo Baptists togeth- er." This is also the claim of the Author to-day (1914).
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HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
JULY 99 A MI MANCHESTER
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