The Original First African Baptist Church

Church History

The First African Baptist Church of Statesboro, Georgia, was organized in July 1889 by Reverend Inman Bryant of Guyton,, Georgia. Fourteen individuals were instrumental in founding and organizing the first church. Namely, Bob and Lizzie Hall, Tom Ramsey, Rick and Adeline Thompson, Edman and Cila Day, Jack and Sarah Ramsey, John and Mary Kiner, Warren and Lue Long, and Rev. Jack Lovett.

The church was named in honor of its founder, Mr. Bob Hall. It was located on what is now Institute Street and carried the name Hall Baptist Church.

During the early life of Hall Baptist Church, the congregation moved to the corner of Church Street and Cotton Avenue. The name was changed to the First African Baptist Church in 1900.

The church has had a number of ministers to serve as Pastor throughout its history.

These ministers are as follows:
Rev. Jack Lovett- 1889
Rev. S.D. Rozier- 1894
Rev. S.P. Campbell- 1897
Rev. S.D. Rozier- 1900
Rev. J.W. Carr- 1905
Rev. W. M. Maxwell- 1906
Rev. S.D. Rozier- 1908
Rev. R.J. Johnson- 1914
Rev. D.G. Smith- 1922
Rev. J.P. Murphy- 1930
Rev. W.D. Kent- 1949
Rev. Bennie Brinson- 1972
Rev. Frankie Owens, Sr. 2000-Present

From 1921 to 1949, the church was a member of the Walker Missionary Baptist Association. It returned to the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Association under the direction of Rev. W.D. Kent in 1949.

In 1978, the building on Institute Street was purchased from the congregation of the Statesboro Church of God. This action enabled the church congregation to return to Institute Street, the original location of its founding. In 1979, ten members separated from the congregation and went back to the old site on Church Street and Cotton Avenue. The name that this group adopted was The Old Historical First African Baptist Church.

In 1988, the congregation which remained at the site on Institute Street modified its name to The First African Baptist Church of Statesboro, Georgia, Inc. (duly incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia). As a means of affirming its heritage, history, and mission, the group adopted the name The Original First African Baptist Church of Statesboro.

The initial Board of Directors (first registered at 203 Church Street, then moved to 227 Institute Street) consisted of the following deacons: C.T. Lee, James E. Evans, Jessie Moore, G.M. Douglas, John Harris, William Scott, Walter Deloach, Joe Hayward, David Knight, Robert Donaldson, and Hosea Williams.

In 2000, Pastor Frankie L. Owens, Sr. was called to serve, and under his direction and leadership, currently, over 30 ministries have flourished and are meeting many needs of the members and community.

In 2003, Pastor Owens ordained the following deacons: Charles Farley and Joe Goodwin.

In 2004 and 2006, Pastor Owens licensed and ordained the following ministers: Rev. Jean Owens and Evangelist Juanita Allen.

In 2008, under the direction and leadership of Pastor Frankie Owens, Sr. and the following Board of Deacons: Larry Allen, Charles Bonds, Archie Byrd, Arnie Cooper, Charles Farley, Joe Goodwin, Randy Gunter, Hugh Harden, David Knight, Eddie Mincey, Larry Robbins, Raymond Scott, Earl Smith, and Roosevelt Whitney, eleven acres of land at 545 Westside Road, Statesboro, Georgia, were purchased on which to erect a new edifice. A groundbreaking ceremony to return thanks to God was held in October 2008. In March 2010, the first regular service was held at this site. On August 29, 2010, an official program of dedication was held.

In 2012, Minister Jimmy Spivey joined OFAB Church. In 2013, Deacon Larry Shatteen became an ordained member of the Board of Deacons.