First Sunday: Foundations of Faith

1820, in the Old ‘Georgia’ Graveyard in North Alabama, the oldest African American Christian congregation got its start.

St. Bartley Primitive Baptist church was started by William Harris, a slave, on the only piece of land slaves could lay claim to, a cemetery. The original church was named Huntsville African Baptist Church until it was burned down during the civil war. In 1872, the congregation relocated and renamed the church, St. Bartley Primitive Baptist Church, after the current pastor of the time Bartley Harris.

This year St. Bartley P.B Church will celebrate a 200 year presence in the Huntsville community. Want more info?? Check out this interview.

Notes from the editor:
Religion has always played an important role in the lives of African Americans and the progress of the African American community. Even in the time of slavery, African Americans utilized religion for their own edification outside of the few scriptures they were taught *out of context*. In spite of the the circumstance of the time, bold and brave leaders went forth to create places of worship that are still strong holds in the community today.

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