People, Locations, Episodes

Matthew Gaines, Minister, and Politician born

*Matthew Gaines was born on this date in 1840. He was a Black community leader, minister, and Texas State Senator. Matthew Gaines was born near Alexandria, Louisiana, to a slave woman owned by the Martin Despallier family. Gaines learned to read from a white boy who smuggled in books. This boy may have been young […]

The First African Baptist Church (Richmond, VA), is Formed

*The First African Baptist Church, a prominent black church in Richmond, Virginia, began services on this date in 1841. The First African Baptist Church was founded by Black members of Richmond’s First Baptist Church. The First Baptist Church housed a multiracial congregation from its beginning in 1802 until the white members built a new church […]

The A.M.E. Church Review is Published

*On this date 1841, the A.M.E. Church Review was published.  This is the journal of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and arguably the earliest published American Black Journal. It publishes articles on religion, politics, history, and world events. Originally named The A.M.E. Church Magazine, the church’s general book steward, Rev. George Hogarth of Brooklyn, New York, first published it. It was intended to […]

Samuel Ferguson, Pioneering Bishop born

Samuel David Ferguson, a Black priest and bishop, was born on this date in 1842.

Allen Allensworth, Municipal Administrator born

*On this date in 1842, Allen Allensworth was born. He was a Black minister, administrator and educator.

From Louisville, KY, born to slave parents, Phyllis and Levi Allensworth, Allen escaped from slavery at the age of twenty. During the Civil War, he became a civilian nurse in the 44th Infantry’s hospital corps serving in the Nashville campaign. A year later he joined the Navy serving on gunboat in the Ohio River. By 1865, he became a chief petty officer. Allensworth then returned to Louisville, where he converted to the Baptist faith in their Fifth Street Church.

Saint Augustine Catholic Church (New Orleans) is Founded

This date in 1842 marks the dedication of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans. Since its dedication, St. Augustine has been a church of the free black citizens of New Orleans, welcoming both free and slave as worshippers.

The Sisters of the Holy Family Congregation is Founded

The Sisters of The Holy Family Parish, an African American congregation of pontifical status, was founded on this date in 1842 in New Orleans.

It was founded by a free woman of African descent, Henriette Delille, some 20 years before the Emancipation Proclamation. It was created by Henriette Delille of New Orleans, Juliette Gaudin, born in Cuba of Haitian parents, and Mlle Alcot, a young French woman.

It was started under the direction of Father Etienne Rousselon, Vicar-General of the Diocese of New Orleans.

Richard Boyd, Spiritual Leader born

*Richard Henry Boyd was born on this date in 1843. He was a Black preacher, missionary, entrepreneur, publisher, banker, educator, writer, and Black Nationalist.

Theophilus Steward, Minister born

Theophilus Steward was born on this date in 1843. He was a Black clergyman, teacher, and author. Theophilus Gould Steward was born in Gouldtown, New Jersey.

Harvey Johnson, Minister born

*Harvey Johnson was born on this date in 1843. He was a Black minister and theologian.

William Robeson, Minister, and Abolitionist born

*William Robeson was born on this date in 1844. He was a minister and abolitionist. William Drew Robeson was born a slave. His father was Benjamin Robeson, and his mother was Sabra. They were enslaved on the Roberson plantation near Cross Road township in Martin County, North Carolina. He was a descendant of the Igbo people of Nigeria. […]

Henry Plummer, Soldier, and Chaplain born

Henry Plummer, a Black soldier and chaplain, was born on this date in 1844.

Black History and the Southern Baptist Convention in America, a story

*Black history and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) are examined on this date in 1845. That summer in Nashville, TN, at the Southern Baptist Convention’s founding, approximately 1 in 3 Southern Baptist church members were black. By 1900, there were virtually no black Southern Baptists. About 1 in 5 Southern Baptist churches are predominantly non-white, […]

William Pettiford, Minister, and Businessman born

*William Pettiford was born on this date in 1847. He was a black minister, educator and business entrepreneur.

The Mormon Church and American Slavery, a story

*On this date in 1827, we examine the Mormon church and American Slavery with a brief article.  On this date, white Mormon Joseph Smith translated the Golden Plates (aka) the Book of Mormon into English.    The Latter-Day Saints Mormon movement has had varying and conflicting teachings on slavery. Early converts were initially from the […]