This church was founded as a black church in 1866 after the American Civil War. It became independent from the First Baptist Church (South Perry Street), which they had attended.
The church building was built the following year, but was destroyed by fire in 1910. The present church was then completed in 1915. The congregation was required to bring one brick each day to build the church, hence the name ‘Brick-a-day Church’.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the church became an important centre for the civil rights movement.
During the Montgomery bus boycott (1955-56), it became a meeting place. After the boycott, the church and parsonage were attacked by bombs in 1957.
Also in 1961, the church became a refuge for Freedom Rides passengers who objected to racial discrimination when they were attacked by whites. Rioters surrounded the church and evacuees were locked in for 15 hours. (Siege of First Baptist)
The church was listed on the State Landmarks and Heritage List in 2000 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.
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