The First Baptist Church, Salisbury Street, was organized as the Raleigh Baptist Church, March 8,1812, on the second floor of the original state Capitol building. There were 23 charter members, fourteen slaves of African descent and nine free persons of European descent, who had been sent to organize this church from the Cool Springs Baptist Church outside of Raleigh. The congregation worshiped in several temporary locations until the first building was constructed on Person Street. This structure was later moved to Moore Square, which resulted in that square being referred to as Baptist Grove for many years. From that location, the church moved to several temporary locations before a new building was built on the corner of Wilmington and Morgan Streets. Ultimately the congregation moved to our current site where the first service was held on September 11, 1859.
The biracial congregation worshipped together until June 5, 1868 when there was a peaceful separation of the two groups and the African American members established their own congregation. During the 1960’s, our two congregations began participating in joint activities and services, a practice that continues today. In 2012 we celebrated our 200th Birthday with a play chronicling our joint history, written and performed by Burning Coal Theatre, and an event in the State Capitol where we began.
The original church building was designed by William Percival, an architect from Richmond, VA. The Neo Gothic sanctuary has had some changes through its long history, but has retained Percival’s original design as well as many of the original stained glass windows and structural elements. It is part of the national historic.
Pastors of our church have often been biblical scholars who served as professors and/or presidents of colleges and seminaries at sometime during their careers. The congregation has directly launched or aided at least 36 other churches in getting started. We also point with pride to the fact that the initial meetings concerning the establishment of a college for NC Baptist women (now Meredith College) were held in our facilities.
For more than two centuries, we have answered God's call to Christian witness and service. We are reminded of this heritage by our worship traditions, historic sanctuary and our long- standing affirmation of women in ministry. It is this rich history which provides a ballast, allowing us to respond faithfully to today's rapidly changing world without losing our faith identity.
