Southern Baptists Split Over Slavery

In 1845, Southern Baptists in the United States split from the national Triennial Convention over slavery in the years preceding the Civil War. The immediate dispute centered on whether Baptist mission boards would appoint enslavers as missionaries. After northern representatives refused, southern delegates met at First Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia, from May 8 to 12 and founded the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1995, the denomination formally apologized for its historical defense of slavery, segregation, and white supremacy.

Previous Fact Next Fact