Nestled in the heart of New Orleans at 3419 S Robertson St, the Fifth African Baptist Church stands as a beacon of faith and community in the bustling city. This Baptist church serves as a gathering place for worship, reflection, and unity among its diverse congregation, with its rich history dating back decades.
Stepping inside the Fifth African Baptist Church, visitors are greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere, filled with the soothing melodies of hymns and the soft glow of candlelight. The interior boasts a blend of traditional and contemporary design elements, creating a sacred space that invites contemplation and connection with the divine. Whether attending a Sunday service or a community event, guests are sure to experience a sense of peace and belonging within the walls of this historic Baptist church.
Historical Significance and Architectural Features
The solid oak pews were installed in the main sanctuary during the early 1900's under the leadership of the 7th Pastor Reverend James Wesley Carr. The light fixtures and baptismal pool are all original to the church. They were installed during the Pastorate of Reverend Emmanuel King Love. The light fixtures were originally gas, but were later converted into electrical. The pews located in the balcony are original to the church. These pews were made by enslaved Africans, and are nailed into the floors.
The pipe organ, also, located in the balcony, was commissioned in 1834 by St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the local white Catholic church. St. John the Baptist passed the organ on to St. Joseph Catholic Church, the local black Catholic church who eventually donated the organ, presumably in 1888, to First African Baptist Church. The holes in the floor are in the shape of an African prayer symbol known to some as a BaKongo Cosmogram.
Key Figures and Contributions
First African Baptist Church has been a place of leadership and service since its inception. March Haynes, a deacon of the church, enlisted in the Civil War on the Union side and did valiant service. He was active in helping captive Africans to escape to the Union side, where they enjoyed freedom. Deacon Haynes was an unsung hero of the movement of freedom known popularly as the "Underground Railroad".
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Reverend Emmanuel King Love, 6th Pastor, led the movement to establish Savannah State University, formerly known as Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth.
The Black Church
Resilience and Rebuilding After Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina threatened to wipe out the 146-year history of Fifth Baptist, but the congregation showed the resilience to not only return and rebuild, but to remain a center for hope and fellowship. In fact, Fifth Baptist was among the first Uptown congregations to open its doors immediately following the devastation of Katrina. Ten years later, Rev. Dale Sanders marvels at not only their recovery, but also the overwhelming support from the community.
"There was no better time to embark upon this expansion than the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina," said Sanders, Pastor of Fifth Baptist for the last twenty years. "We have been blessed to consistently exceed our building capacity each Sunday.
Community Investment and Future Expansion
On Sunday, June 28th at 12:30pm, the members of Fifth African Baptist Church, elected officials, community leaders and more broke ground on a new worship center and meeting facility. City leaders lauded this $1.5 million construction project as another significant investment in the Central City resurgence.
"This is a wonderful project that will serve as a valuable community resource and will further revitalize the Central City area alongside Magnolia Marketplace, Harmony Oaks Apartments, and many other developments," said Councilmember LaToya Cantrell of District B. "Fifth African Baptist Church is a worthy investment to the spiritual and physical wellbeing of the community.
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