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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
charleston, south carolina
SANCTUARY TOURS
SATURDAYS: APRIL 11 - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
As one of Charleston’s oldest Pre-Revolutionary congregations, the First Baptist Church of Charleston is offering tours to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of America. Free tours of the sanctuary at 61 Church Street will be offered every Saturday from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm beginning April 11 and running weekly through September 26. The tours will tell the history of First Baptist's contributions to the American Revolution. Everyone is welcome!
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Sketched artwork: First Baptist Meeting House (c. 1749)
History
SINCE 1682
Over 340 Years of Sharing the Light of Christ
First Baptist Church, Charleston, the earliest Baptist church in the South was organized on September 25, 1682 in Kittery, Maine, under the sponsorship of the First Baptist Church of Boston. Late in 1696, the pastor William Screven, and 28 members of the Kittery congregation immigrated to Charleston, SC.
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Genealogy Research
Often we are asked about marriages or burials. Unfortunately, due to several events of natural disaster, the only records we have available are included in the list above. You may wish to visit the South Carolina Historical Society at 100 Meeting Street (Fireproof Building) for more research assistance.
Richard Furman was pastor at First Baptist and was instrumental in the building of the current sanctuary designed by Robert Mills. This painting was donated by The Belser Family (Furman's descendants) on the 330th Anniversary Sunday (September 30, 2012).
The annual Easter Sunrise service at the Battery began in 1997. Over 500 people (tourists and residents) attend this meaningful service celebrating the resurrection of Christ.
Richard Furman was pastor at First Baptist and was instrumental in the building of the current sanctuary designed by Robert Mills. This painting was donated by The Belser Family (Furman's descendants) on the 330th Anniversary Sunday (September 30, 2012).
*Special thanks to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for digitizing the early 19th century membership roll of First Baptist Church. This membership book was produced under the leadership of Basil Manly who served as pastor of First Baptist from 1826-1837. First Baptist removed numerous blank pages from the PDF above for the ease of research. The entire book can be accessed at the SEBTS archives:
https://archives.sebts.edu/concern/works/nz806103g?locale=e
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"THE BALCONY"