
In 1865, slavery was abolished and all enslaved people were freed under the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution.Samuel Madden, who received a commission from the Executive Mansion (White House) as a Union chaplain, arrived as the new pastor (1863-1896) at First African Baptist Church, replacing Rev. During the war, it was used as a hospital and a recruiting station for the US Colored Troops, as worship services went ‘underground’ for colored and white churches. The Civil War began in April 1861 and the church was taken over by Union army soldiers for an indefinite period.Sampson White arrived as the next pastor (1859-1863) at the First African Baptist Church. The Church paid off the mortgage on the new building in two years. By 1855, membership had grown to 200 members as the group constructed the first known building and changed its name to the First African Baptist Church.

The Church purchased the adjacent lot to the south in 1853. The Colored Baptist Society of Alexandria first rented a lot in 1818 within the northern half of the study area, then purchased the property in 1842.Membership of the newly independent colored assembly stood at 83 persons. In 1850, the Colored Baptist Society, now known as the African Baptist Society, was granted complete independence from the ‘conjoined’ body and adopted the Alexandria Baptist Church’s constitution. William Evans served as the early leader (1806-1859) of the Colored Baptist Society, during which time they continued as a conjoined body with the white Alexandria Baptist Society. Alterations to the building occurred in the 1880s and in 1994 the church constructed a new sanctuary.
#Alfred street baptist church free
In 1855, free black craftsmen probably designed and built the brick church. By 1820 the church created its educational branch, providing religious and secular opportunities for both black children and adults. In 1818, the congregation, then known as the Colored Baptist Society, began worship services here in the midst of the Bottoms, a free black neighborhood. It has served as a prominent religious, educational, and cultural institution. The Alfred Street Baptist Church is home to the oldest African American congregation in Alexandria, dating to the early 19th century.

The First American President: Setting the Precedent.To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Alfred "Al" Hardman, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church Fairhope Children’s Ministry. The memorial service will be held at 11:00am on March 22 nd at First Baptist Fairhope, with visitation at 10:00am. Al enjoyed his retirement by attending all his grandchildren’s activities with his wife Connie. He graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and was a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 31 years. Hardman Jr., grandchildren Percy Jane, Ethan, George, Evan, Emery, Ann Waverly, Ella, and Jack and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, aunts, and uncles.Īl was born in Beauford, South Carolina on January 26 th, 1954.

He is survived by his wife Connie and children Fred Hardman and wife Kacie, Kate Robertson and husband Adam, and John Hardman and wife Lauren, all of Fairhope, Alabama brother Samuel R. Hardman, and brothers William and Joseph Hardman. Alfred Hardman, age 69, of Fairhope, AL, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on March 18 th, 2023.Īl was preceded in death by his parents, Rev.
