First Baptist Church-Raleigh

Raleigh has two First Baptist churches, each with a legitimate claim to the title. When the Baptist church in Raleigh was organized in 1812 on the second floor of the original state Capitol building, there were 23 charter members?9 white and 14 black. In 1868 there was a peaceful separation of the two groups when the newly emancipated members established their own congregation. Today the collegiality between the two congregations is expressed in regular shared endeavors to provide shelter and food for homeless families and in the vocal ensemble ?First in Harmony,? composed of four singers from each congregation.