First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church, the earliest African American Baptist congregation in Northumberland County, originated in 1866 when black members of Coan Baptist Church began holding worship services at the home of Alexander Day. They later worshiped at Howland Chapel School, built just northeast of here in 1867 with funding from New York-born educator, reformer, and philanthropist Emily Howland. Revivals were held under a nearby brush arbor. Led by the Rev. Daniel Payne, pastor for more than 30 years, the congregation erected its first sanctuary here in 1892. The present Gothic Revival-style sanctuary was completed in 1941 under the guidance of longtime pastor Rev. Henry C. Roane.

Department of Historic Resources, 2016