First Baptist Church, Savannah
First Baptist Church in Savannah is a historic and architecturally significant congregation that has been an integral part of the city's religious and cultural landscape since its establishment in 1800. Initially the congregation gathered in a meeting house located at Franklin Square. In 1801, Georgia Governor Josiah Tattnall granted the church its perpetual charter, marking the beginning of its long and storied history.
The congregation's current home, a striking example of Greek-Revival architecture, is situated on Bull Street, on the western side of Chippewa Square in Savannah's historic district. This building, notable for being the oldest surviving church building in Savannah, has housed the congregation since 1833. The design of the church was the brainchild of architect Elias Carter. The cornerstone of this iconic building was laid on February 2, 1831, and the construction was completed in 1833, allowing the congregation to relocate to this location.
An important addition to the church came in 1922 with the installation of an organ crafted by Ernest M. Skinner, a renowned organ builder. That same year, the church underwent notable alterations under the guidance of local architect Henrik Wallin. These changes included extending the building's front, cladding it in limestone, and removing the cupola, further enhancing its architectural presence.
A landmark in its own right, the First Baptist Church holds the distinction of being one of the few Southern churches that remained open throughout the entirety of the American Civil War. This highlights not only its resilience but also its significance in the local community.
By 1947, the congregation adopted the name "First" Baptist Church to distinguish itself from other Baptist churches in Savannah, reflecting its pioneering role and historical importance in the city.
The congregation's current home, a striking example of Greek-Revival architecture, is situated on Bull Street, on the western side of Chippewa Square in Savannah's historic district. This building, notable for being the oldest surviving church building in Savannah, has housed the congregation since 1833. The design of the church was the brainchild of architect Elias Carter. The cornerstone of this iconic building was laid on February 2, 1831, and the construction was completed in 1833, allowing the congregation to relocate to this location.
An important addition to the church came in 1922 with the installation of an organ crafted by Ernest M. Skinner, a renowned organ builder. That same year, the church underwent notable alterations under the guidance of local architect Henrik Wallin. These changes included extending the building's front, cladding it in limestone, and removing the cupola, further enhancing its architectural presence.
A landmark in its own right, the First Baptist Church holds the distinction of being one of the few Southern churches that remained open throughout the entirety of the American Civil War. This highlights not only its resilience but also its significance in the local community.
By 1947, the congregation adopted the name "First" Baptist Church to distinguish itself from other Baptist churches in Savannah, reflecting its pioneering role and historical importance in the city.
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First Baptist Church on Map
Sight Name: First Baptist Church
Sight Location: Savannah, USA (See walking tours in Savannah)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Savannah, USA (See walking tours in Savannah)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Savannah, Georgia
Create Your Own Walk in Savannah
Creating your own self-guided walk in Savannah is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Savannah's Historical Churches
The conspicuous churches of various styles and denominations 鈥� Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Unitarian, and Methodist 鈥� dot the cityscape of Savannah, Georgia, in abundance. With their spires reaching high, as if attempting to touch heaven, these churches stand like sacred sentinels, guarding the city's spiritual heritage and illuminating its architectural grandeur.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Historical Houses Walking Tour
Savannah, Georgia breathes history. You can feel it in the cobblestone alleyways and quaint squares dotting the city. An enchanting walk through the heart of Savannah's Historic District (one of the most carefully preserved in the United States) highlights an array of beautiful homes.
Saved by the forward-thinking residents from being bulldozed in the 1960s, these gorgeous structures (with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Saved by the forward-thinking residents from being bulldozed in the 1960s, these gorgeous structures (with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
African-American Heritage Tour
The history of America has many themes, but the theme of African American history that has touched many the most is the theme of resilience. Indeed, African Americans' enduring strength and resilience in the face of adversity have been the subjects of many songs, books, and movies in recent years. Savannah, Georgia, whose African-American population makes up about 60 percent of total... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Savannah Introduction Walking Tour
Savannah may not be the whole of Sweet Georgia, but no Georgia is complete without Savannah, that's for sure.
This coastal city is named after the river upon which it stands, whose name is likely to be the variant pronunciation of 鈥淪hawnee鈥�, the Native American tribe which inhabited the area in the 1680s. Alternatively, it could have derived from the Spanish 鈥渟abana鈥�, referring to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
This coastal city is named after the river upon which it stands, whose name is likely to be the variant pronunciation of 鈥淪hawnee鈥�, the Native American tribe which inhabited the area in the 1680s. Alternatively, it could have derived from the Spanish 鈥渟abana鈥�, referring to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
River Street Sightseeing and Shopping
The story of Savannah's River Street begins in 1733 with General James Edward Oglethorpe's landing on the bank of the Savannah River and founding the British colony of Georgia. Today, the cobble-stoned River Street caters to a variety of interests, combining the rustic beauty of the past with the energy of the present.
The half-mile-long promenade is one of the city's major... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.7 Km or 0.4 Miles
The half-mile-long promenade is one of the city's major... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.7 Km or 0.4 Miles