Constituted in 1777, First African Baptist represents more than just a building or even a gathering of believers— it is also the story of slaves who took the money they’d saved to buy their freedom and used it instead to buy property and a building for a church on Franklin Square, the story of a pastor who was whipped for his faith in a time when it was illegal to teach blacks to read and write, the story of secret symbols etched into pews, ceilings, and floors to help slaves escape to freedom in the North.

“Journey By Faith: A History of First African Baptist Church” is a half-hour DVD created by longtime First African Baptist tour guide and historian Karen Wortham, and the culmination of years of research and planning. Wortham will unveil the film at a premier event in the basement of First African Baptist at 2:30 pm on Sunday, February 7th, during “Super Museum Sunday.”All are invited to attend this free event, and copies of the DVD will be for sale.

First African Baptist is located at 23 Montgomery Street.

For more information on the premier, please contact Karen Wortham at (912) 224-0973.