The historical marker reads:
"First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church, Savannah's oldest standing house of
worship, was designed by Elias Carter and completed in 1833. The
congregation dates to 1800. In 1922 the front of the building was
extended, a cupola removed, and the edifice covered with limestone.
Under the leadership of Sylvanus Landrum, First Baptist Church was
one of the few southern churches to remain open throughout the
civil war. Notable pastors include W.L. Pickard, later president of
Mercer University, Norman Cox, executive secretary of the
Historical Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, and
Arthur Jackson, executive secretary of the Georgia Baaptist
Foundation."
The sesquicentennial plaque reads:
"1800 Sesquicentennial 1950
First Baptist Church
Savannah, Georgia
On November 26, 1800 the Reverend Henry Holcombe and fifteen
other Baptists organized the Savannah Baptist Church. As early as
1795 a group of interested Baptists had erected a house of worship
on Franklin Square where the congregation worshipped for
thirty-three years. The Sunday School was organized there on April
29, 1827.
During the pastorate of the Reverend Henry o.Wyer the
cornerstone of the present church on Chippewa Square was laid on
February 2, 1831 and the building was completed in 1833. The church
house was enlarged in 1839 improved from time to time and
completely renovated in 1921. Since 1847 the church has been called
the First Baptist Church. In 1926 the educational building was
erected and dedicated to the memory of John J. Cummings.
The church has had a long line of distinguished deacons and
members who have given it their support, devotion and prayers. The
pastors have been Henry Holcombe, William B. Johnson, Benjamin
Screven, James Sweat, James Meredith, Henry O.Wyer, Josiah S.Law,
Charles B. Jones, J.G. Binney, Albert Williams, Joseph T. Robert,
Thomas Rambaut, J. B. Stiteler, G. S. Daniel, Sylvanus Landrum,
Timothy Harley, J. E. l> Holmes, S. A. Goodwin, J. D. Jordan, W.
L. Pickard, J. J. Taylor, L. R. Christie, Norman W. Cox, John E.
White, Arthur Jackson, and Leroy G. Cleverdon.
This tablet is given in grateful recognition to God for his
divine blessings on the church and is dedicated to the memories of
the Reverend Henry Holcombe and those who succeeded him in its
ministry. Done with appropriate exercises on this the twenty-sixth
day of November, one thousand nine hundred and fifty and the one
hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the First
Baptist Church of Savannah, Georgia."
The 175 year celebration plaque reads:
"1800-1975
First Baptist Church
Savannah, Georgia
Since the last celebration of the founding of the First Baptist
Church, Savannah, Georgia, two pastors have been added to the list
of Clergy who have served this congregation: W. Forrest Lanter and
Thomas D. Austin.
Likewise, changes have occurred in this congregation's physical
plant, the sanctuary, erected in 1831, was completely renovated and
restored in 1966. Also, the educational building, erected in 1926,
was renovated and refurbished in 1974-1975.
This tablet is affixed to the First Baptist Church edifice in
memory and honor of those lay persons who have envisioned, erected
and maintained this place of worship, learning and fellowship."