First African Baptist Church
First African Baptist Church, Baptist church with Renaissance Revival architecture in Lexington, Kentucky.
The First African Baptist Church features tall arched windows, decorative stonework, and a symmetrical facade at East Short Street in downtown Lexington.
Founded around 1790 by Peter Durrett, this church became the largest congregation in Kentucky by 1850, with over 1,800 members attending services.
The congregation established a religious school in 1816, marking one of the earliest educational institutions for African Americans in the western United States.
The historic building, registered as a National Historic Place since 1986, stands at the intersection of East Short Street and Deweese Street.
During the 1833 cholera epidemic, Reverend London Ferrill remained in Lexington to care for affected community members while others fled the city.
Location: Kentucky
Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture
GPS coordinates: 38.04306,-84.45861
Latest update: September 23, 2025 14:24
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