Page 47 - Liberia Exhibit Magazine Issue1
P. 47
HistoricalSites
Providence
Baptist Church
LIBERIA’S BIRTH PLACE
In 1807 Lot Carey (Cary) became a Christian and felt of the oldest on the
called to preached the Good News soon after. He continent of Africa.
This is the venue at
preached his trial sermon under the pastorate of the which the Declara-
Rev. John Courtney of First Baptist Church of Richmond, tion of Independence
Virginia, USA. In 1821 Carey along with Collin Teague and for Liberia was
signed in 1847.
their families sailed for Liberia on the ship Nautilus as
the first African American missionaries from Richmond According to the
African Baptist Missionary Society, an organization Carey church’s official
had helped to organize in 1815. Before sailing, Carey and website, during the
his wife Nancy, Teague, his wife and son Hilary, Joseph pastorate of Rev.
Langford and his wife Susan met and constituted them- Samuel B. Stubble-
selves into a church – a ministry that would become the field, Sr. the first or-
gan was purchased.
birthplace of Africa’s oldest Republic, Liberia. It was to the dismay
of the “old-timers”,
In January of 1822 Carey, Teague, Langford and their families ar- who disdained such
rived at the Providence Island on the Mesurado River in what is “unholy disturbance”
today Liberia. Immediately, upon their arrival they established the in the Lord’s house.
Providence Baptist Church on a high level ground overlooking the Consequently, two
Mesurado River on the north and the Atlantic on the south. Sunday worship
services were held
In October 1825 the first sanctuary was dedicated. Rev. Lot Carey said for a while, on at 9:30 a.m. with the organ and the other at 10:30 a.m.
upon its completion, “It is quite a comfortable house, thirty by twenty, without the organ.
and sealed inside nearly up to the plates, with a decent pulpit and
seats.” In 1968 under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. John B. Falconer, the con-
gregation grew to more than there hundred and more space was
In 1828 when Carey died, Providence had one hundred members. needed for Sunday School and other activities. As a result, the Lott
Rev. Colston Waring became pastor thereafter. In 1830 a revival was Carey Annex was constructed. During Falconer’s pastorate Provi-
started and continued for six months. During this revival one hun- dence started the first church public radio ministry. Deaconesses
dred members were added to the church. This revival extended to (female Deacons) were for the first time instituted. Church planting by
Caldwell, Carey Town (New Georgia), Millsburg, Cape Mount and Providence once again gave birth to several fellowships and congre-
Grand Bassa. gations, including the Second and Third Providence Baptist Churches
in Monrovia, Handii Baptist Church in Bong Mines, among others. Dr.
In 1839 the present stone sanctuary (the old church) was completed. It Falconer was a great pulpiteer. He was a U.S citizen serving with the
was in these sacred walls, the nation Liberia was born, and declared American military.
African’s first independent nation, a beacon light of hope to Africa and
the world. The first Legislative Assembly – The House of Representa- Providence played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Liberia
tives and the Senate was held in this sanctuary. Thus Providence has Baptist Missionary and Education Convention, Inc., and the Liberia
been revered as “The Cornerstone of the Nation.” Providence was Baptist Theological Seminary.
the first Christian Church established and founded in Liberia and one
WWW.JOS-TRAVEL.COM 47
Providence
Baptist Church
LIBERIA’S BIRTH PLACE
In 1807 Lot Carey (Cary) became a Christian and felt of the oldest on the
called to preached the Good News soon after. He continent of Africa.
This is the venue at
preached his trial sermon under the pastorate of the which the Declara-
Rev. John Courtney of First Baptist Church of Richmond, tion of Independence
Virginia, USA. In 1821 Carey along with Collin Teague and for Liberia was
signed in 1847.
their families sailed for Liberia on the ship Nautilus as
the first African American missionaries from Richmond According to the
African Baptist Missionary Society, an organization Carey church’s official
had helped to organize in 1815. Before sailing, Carey and website, during the
his wife Nancy, Teague, his wife and son Hilary, Joseph pastorate of Rev.
Langford and his wife Susan met and constituted them- Samuel B. Stubble-
selves into a church – a ministry that would become the field, Sr. the first or-
gan was purchased.
birthplace of Africa’s oldest Republic, Liberia. It was to the dismay
of the “old-timers”,
In January of 1822 Carey, Teague, Langford and their families ar- who disdained such
rived at the Providence Island on the Mesurado River in what is “unholy disturbance”
today Liberia. Immediately, upon their arrival they established the in the Lord’s house.
Providence Baptist Church on a high level ground overlooking the Consequently, two
Mesurado River on the north and the Atlantic on the south. Sunday worship
services were held
In October 1825 the first sanctuary was dedicated. Rev. Lot Carey said for a while, on at 9:30 a.m. with the organ and the other at 10:30 a.m.
upon its completion, “It is quite a comfortable house, thirty by twenty, without the organ.
and sealed inside nearly up to the plates, with a decent pulpit and
seats.” In 1968 under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. John B. Falconer, the con-
gregation grew to more than there hundred and more space was
In 1828 when Carey died, Providence had one hundred members. needed for Sunday School and other activities. As a result, the Lott
Rev. Colston Waring became pastor thereafter. In 1830 a revival was Carey Annex was constructed. During Falconer’s pastorate Provi-
started and continued for six months. During this revival one hun- dence started the first church public radio ministry. Deaconesses
dred members were added to the church. This revival extended to (female Deacons) were for the first time instituted. Church planting by
Caldwell, Carey Town (New Georgia), Millsburg, Cape Mount and Providence once again gave birth to several fellowships and congre-
Grand Bassa. gations, including the Second and Third Providence Baptist Churches
in Monrovia, Handii Baptist Church in Bong Mines, among others. Dr.
In 1839 the present stone sanctuary (the old church) was completed. It Falconer was a great pulpiteer. He was a U.S citizen serving with the
was in these sacred walls, the nation Liberia was born, and declared American military.
African’s first independent nation, a beacon light of hope to Africa and
the world. The first Legislative Assembly – The House of Representa- Providence played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Liberia
tives and the Senate was held in this sanctuary. Thus Providence has Baptist Missionary and Education Convention, Inc., and the Liberia
been revered as “The Cornerstone of the Nation.” Providence was Baptist Theological Seminary.
the first Christian Church established and founded in Liberia and one
WWW.JOS-TRAVEL.COM 47
