Marker honours 200-year-old black church

A new historical marker is honoring the oldest continuously operating African American church in Mississippi.

Members of St. Peter Baptist Church in Pascagoula gathered Saturday to celebrate the unveiling of a marker that was placed by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

The coastal church was founded in 1819 by a freed slave named Dudley Brooks. It originally was called First Free Mission Baptist Church.

Pastor William H. Marshall tells WLOX-TV that he’s pleased the congregation is being recognized by the state.

Congregants buried a time capsule with church programs and other items. The plan is to dig it up in 20 years.

First published 05.11.19: https://msbusiness.com/2019/11/marker-honors-200-year-old-black-church-in-mississippi/