. . . . . . . "First Baptist Church City of St. Louis"@en . . . . . . "Active"@en . . . . . "11088"^^ . "United States"@en . . . . . "-90.22250366210938"^^ . . . . "1072036140"^^ . . "70072741"^^ . "First Baptist Church City of St. Louis"@en . . . . "38.64055555555556 -90.2225" . . "First African Baptist Church"@en . "1917"^^ . "First Baptist Church City of St. Louis, located in Midtown St. Louis at 3100 Bell Avenue in St. Louis, was founded as First African Baptist Church in 1827. It was the first African-American church west of the Mississippi River. Initially, most of the congregants were African American enslaved people who had permission from their owners to attend church. From its beginning, the church offered reading and religious education clandestinely. The city of St. Louis enacted laws to restrict assembly, education, and religious services for black people. In 1847, the school was closed down by the police. The same year, Reverend John Berry Meachum established the Floating Freedom School on a steamboat on the Mississippi River, where it was under federal jurisdiction. The church was a stopping point o"@en . . . . . "First Baptist Church City of St. Louis, located in Midtown St. Louis at 3100 Bell Avenue in St. Louis, was founded as First African Baptist Church in 1827. It was the first African-American church west of the Mississippi River. Initially, most of the congregants were African American enslaved people who had permission from their owners to attend church. From its beginning, the church offered reading and religious education clandestinely. The city of St. Louis enacted laws to restrict assembly, education, and religious services for black people. In 1847, the school was closed down by the police. The same year, Reverend John Berry Meachum established the Floating Freedom School on a steamboat on the Mississippi River, where it was under federal jurisdiction. The church was a stopping point on the Underground Railroad. A second building was constructed next to the church in 1952 for educational and recreational facilities, including a combination gymnasium and auditorium for up to 3,000 people. In 1997, the church partnered with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's IN UNISON choral ensemble program. The church is a member of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc."@en . "3100"^^ . . . . . . . . . . "38.64055633544922"^^ . "First Baptist Church City of St. Louis"@en . . "First Baptist Church City of St. Louis"@en . . . . . . . . "POINT(-90.222503662109 38.640556335449)"^^ . . . . . . . .