African Meeting House
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Also known as the First African Baptist Church, this structure was built in 1806 and is the oldest African American church building in the United States. Beacon Hill was the heart of Boston's back community in the 19th century. At this location in 1832, white and Black abolitionists attended a meeting headed by William Lloyd Garrison. This meeting led to the establishment of New England Anti-Slavery Society, one of the most important abolitionist organizations in American history.
Images
The African Meeting House today houses Boston's Museum of African American History.
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Prior to the establishment of this independent Black church, Black Bostonians had their own meetings in private homes or attended services at churches where they faced discrimination.