HISTORY
The History of
First Baptist Church of St. Augustine
Established in 1872 by freed Black residents and Mrs. Hannah Jordan, the First Baptist Church of St. Augustine (89 St. Francis Street) is a historic pillar of the Lincolnville Historic District. Known as "The Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement in St. Augustine," the church was a strategic sanctuary and mass meeting center during the 1960s.
The congregation settled at its current Lincolnville location in 1884. After a devastating fire destroyed the structure, the present-day sanctuary was built in 1915.
During the 1960s, the church's basement became the birthplace of the NAACP Youth Council, led by local activists like Gerald Eubanks and Dr. Robert B. Hayling. Under the leadership of Reverend John H. McKissick, the church hosted training sessions, rallies, and mass meetings.
On May 26, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to more than 400 people inside the sanctuary, energizing the local Civil Rights movement.
Today, the church is located at 89 St. Francis Street and continues to serve its community, maintaining deep ties to St. Augustine's Black heritage.
The Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement in St. Augustine
First Baptist Church of St. Augustine stands as a symbol of faith, resilience, and activism. Founded in 1872 by Mrs. Hannah Jordan and Rev. Father C. Felder, the church began as a modest congregation of freed Black residents during the Reconstruction period. They were determined to build a spiritual home grounded in hard work, worship, and community. The church settled at its current location in the Lincolnville Historic District in 1884, and after a devastating fire in 1915, the present-day sanctuary was erected.
A Civil Rights Stronghold
By the 1960s, First Baptist had become a strategic center in the Civil Rights Movement. Under the leadership of Reverend John H. McKissick, the church hosted mass meetings, rallies, and training sessions that united local leaders, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and later the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). On May 26, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed more than 400 people at First Baptist, an event that helped energize the movement in St. Augustine.
The church’s basement became the birthplace of the NAACP Youth Council, led by Gerald Eubanks with guidance from Dr. Robert B. Hayling. These young activists carried out pivotal protests, sit-ins, and marches that gained national attention. First Baptist became known as “The cradle of the Civil Rights Movement in St. Augustine” for its unwavering support and service as a sanctuary.
Historic Marker
The marker reads as follows :
" Established in 1872 through the efforts of Mrs. Hannah Jordan, a devoutly Christian sojourner who, like its first pastor, Rev. Father C. Felder, believed in leading by the example of hard work. The church has flourished at this location -- since 1884. After the fire of 1915, this building was erected. During the era of the 1960s and The Civil Rights Movement, the congregation and its pastor, Reverend J.H. McKissick, gave support which allowed mass meetings to be held, engaged the leadership of the N.A.A.C.P. and later the S.C.L.C, including Dr. Martin Luther King, and the founding of the N.A.A.C.P. Youth Council to take the lead in the local movement. Gerald Eubanks, a local college student, was elected president of the council, and local dentist, Dr. B.B. Hayling, served as advisor. For these pioneering efforts this church is considered THE CRADLE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT in St. Augustine."
Presented by The Civil Rights Memorial Projects Committee of St. Augustine, Supported by Henry "Hank" Thomas, Freedom Rider, 1961.
Erected June 2006
