The FAB Church had it's beginning in 1809 as the First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia.  According to the official history by Charles H. Brooks, written in 1922, "during the closing years of the eighteenth century, a few black people who came to Philadelphia from  eastern Virginia to escape the slave masters, were admitted to the First Baptist Church.  There were no black Baptist churches in Pennsylvania at that time, and only a very small number of black people that were

    St. Thomas Episcopal Church and Bethel A.M.E(i went to this church when i was 5). Church were organized during these years y) and it is said that the establishment of these churches was the outgrowth of humiliating treatment toward the black members of the white churches. But it is beyond controversy that the relations between the white and black members of the First Baptist Church were of the most cordial and Christian Character. As the black members grew in number, they decided to have a church of their own.   on May 13th, 1809, thirteen people who had enjoyed membership in the First Baptist Church were all dismissed by letter on their own request for the purpose of forming the First African Baptist of Philadelphia.  The church was organized on June 19th, 1809.  Then, as now, women were in the majority, for these thirteen signers requesting dismission from First Baptist, nine were female. (my grandpop and aunt srevd on the trustee board they argue or the actaul amount of people who started the church

    The first pastor was Reverend Henry Cunningham, who served from 1809 to 1813.  The church rented a lot and buil their first church, 26 feet wide by 37 feet long, which was located on 10th Street above Vine Street.

James Burrows was born a slave and lived in Northampton County, VA. One of our most interesting historical facts is now revealed. He felt that he had been called to preach. the future pastor master refused to allow him the privilege. so he then conviced his master to permit him to come to Philadelphia to earn money to purchase his freedom. His master agreed to this only after Samuel Bivins and his cousin, John Bivins, who were freeman, put them selfs as a trade for the return of James Burrows. After working a year and saving the money to by his freedom, the money was sent. the bivins  released i cureetly go to church with there neice, and they returned to Philadelphia to assist in the work of the church. Reverend Burrows had  a successful pastorate was organized in 1841 and the church was removed from Haviland Place to Pearl Street near 11th Strsted in the army as chaplain.

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    On August 1, 1864 the Reverend Theodore D. Miller was called to fill the pulpit. Under his leadership the congregation grew from 240 people to over 12,000 members. The church relized the need for a bigger building and in 1867, a new church was built at 10th and Cherry Street. the building was entirely paid for during his time as a pastor. Reverend Miller died February 27th, 1897. He had served the church for 32  . Six months after the death of Dr.  Miller, the church called Dr. William A. Creditt, who had an famous rep He cleared all debts and got rid of the mortgage on the building at 10th Cherry Streets. Through his guidance the church bought is first home in 1899, and put the pastor and his family in it. because of the sermons, the congregation outgrew the building where they had worshipped for almost 40 years. this time land was purchased, a new desgin for a church was planned and erected on the  corner of 16th and Christian Streets in 1906 at an approximate cost of $100,000.00(this is the same buliding i attend now). Dr. Creditt resigned as the pastor September 19th, 1915 and died in Philadelphia June 10th, 1921. He was there 28 years.

 this picture is of the bulding at its peak since then the new people have removed the church bell and there is a sign on the church

http://events.nbcphiladelphia.com/philadelphia-pa/venues/show/547829-first-african-baptist-church-fabc

http://www.thefabchurch.org/

http://www.blackcemeteries.com/?Inc=obituaries&Type=Name&String=O&pageNum_SearchResults=1