Photo: Helsha · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Second African Baptist Church
A congregation founded in 1802 on Greene Square. In February 1865, General Rufus Saxton announced Sherman's "40 acres and a mule" order to freedpeople here.
- Address
- 123 Houston St, Savannah, GA 31401
- Hours
- Check the official website or call ahead for current hours.
- Admission
- Check the official website.
- Access
- Active church. Tours usually aren't offered, but visitors are welcome at services.
About
Members of First African Baptist Church organized Second African Baptist on December 16, 1802, with Henry Cunningham, who had been born enslaved and later gained his freedom, as its first pastor. It became a center of the growing African American community on Savannah's east side.
On February 3, 1865, Union general Rufus Saxton spoke to a meeting of freedpeople here and announced Sherman's Special Field Order No. 15, which set aside coastal land for freed families in parcels of up to 40 acres. The order was revoked within months.
The present church building on Greene Square dates from 1925.
Tips
- Check hours locally before visiting.
