Building History
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Brief History of this Site where the Seminary meets
In 1817, eighteen Christians decided to band together into what was known
as the Baptist Praying Society. They drew up a covenant and began
proceedings to become a constituted church. Land was secured on Greene
Street in Augusta, Georgia and plans to build began. A new church was
dedicated on May 6, 1821. This congregation became the First Baptist
Church.
In 1845, facing issues of slavery and foreign missions, the national
convention split which resulted in a called convention to be held here on this
site, the Southern Baptist Convention was born.
In 1899, the church congregation voted to rebuild the sanctuary, designed
similar to the Church of Madeleine in Paris, and dedicated the building in the
year of 1902.
In 1967, this historic site hosted its sesquicentennial celebration, a week long
event featuring a cantata, pageantry and a service of consecration by the
Reverend, Dr. Billy Graham.
In 1975, the congregation moved to another site in Augusta.
A non-profit foundation, Southern Baptist Birthplace, Inc. was formed to
preserve this historic structure.
A small plot of land was given to the Executive Committee of the Southern
Baptist Convention upon which an identification marker was erected in 1984.
In 2003, Southern Bible Institute and Seminary began holding classes in this
building. Today, this building with all its great history has become home for
Southern Bible Institute and Seminary.
as the Baptist Praying Society. They drew up a covenant and began
proceedings to become a constituted church. Land was secured on Greene
Street in Augusta, Georgia and plans to build began. A new church was
dedicated on May 6, 1821. This congregation became the First Baptist
Church.
In 1845, facing issues of slavery and foreign missions, the national
convention split which resulted in a called convention to be held here on this
site, the Southern Baptist Convention was born.
In 1899, the church congregation voted to rebuild the sanctuary, designed
similar to the Church of Madeleine in Paris, and dedicated the building in the
year of 1902.
In 1967, this historic site hosted its sesquicentennial celebration, a week long
event featuring a cantata, pageantry and a service of consecration by the
Reverend, Dr. Billy Graham.
In 1975, the congregation moved to another site in Augusta.
A non-profit foundation, Southern Baptist Birthplace, Inc. was formed to
preserve this historic structure.
A small plot of land was given to the Executive Committee of the Southern
Baptist Convention upon which an identification marker was erected in 1984.
In 2003, Southern Bible Institute and Seminary began holding classes in this
building. Today, this building with all its great history has become home for
Southern Bible Institute and Seminary.
