Scope and arrangement
The records of Second African Baptist Church, Savannah, GA were microfilmed by the The Preservation of the Black Religious Heritage Project(PBRHP) of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture during the month of June 1992. Originals were retained by the church. The records were arranged for microfilming broadly following the survey questionnaire. Some additional material made available during the course of microfilming were also arranged accordingly. Pages of bound ledgers were microfilmed sequentially as they appear.
The Second African Baptist Church (Savannah, Ga.) records are arranged in seven series:
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1872-1901
The Church Minutes, 1872-1901,series embraces records of membership, minutes of meetings with action taken on disciplinary cases and re-admissions or dismissals. Most cases deal with members charged with “licentious” behavior and dancing.
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1812-1922
The Legal Documents, 1812-1922,series consists of papers on the purchase and sale of property by Henry Cunningham to the church and abstracts of conveyance. A charter amendment dated December 1922 is also included.
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1891-1978
The Church Rolls, Minute Books And Annual Reports, 1891-1978,series is comprised primarily of recorded lists and rosters of committee members, conference meetings and miscellaneous correspondence. Minutes of the joint sessions of the official boards, 1934-1937 also appear.
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1879-1973
The FINANCIAL RECORDS, 1879-1973,series contains treasurer's books with detailed expenditures, collections and annual reports.
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1922-1948
The Sunday School Records, 1922-1948,series consists of minutes with attendance, collections and dues noted. Details such as hymns and bible verses used during classes are given.
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1932-1973
The Church Organizations' Minutes, 1932-1973,series is comprised of minutes of meetings of the deacons, deaconesses, brotherhood and church officers. A resolution by Adeline Graham to establish an orphanage for colored children, dated June 4, 1944, is included.
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1892-1979
The Church History, Printed Matter, Miscellaneous, 1892-1979,series contains anniversary journals and programs, one of which is the istallation program for Edgar P. Quarterman in December 1949. An essay by Deacon W. S. Roundfield which constitutes a history of Second African Baptist Church from 1802 to 1935 is included.