Louisiana's First Black Church Faces City Liens as Pastor Races to Save Landmark

First African Baptist Church in New Orleans is in trouble. Founded in 1826, it is recognized as Louisiana's first Black church. Today it faces city liens and $4,000 in fines for neglect, and its pastor is racing to save it.

Pastor William Brent has organized community cleanups and set up a donation account to fund repairs. He plans to meet with other clergy members to coordinate preservation efforts. A cleanup is scheduled for April 24, 2026.

The church's history spans two centuries of Black life in New Orleans. It was founded before the Civil War, during a period when Black religious gatherings were tightly restricted. Its survival through slavery, Reconstruction, and the civil rights era makes it a landmark of national significance.

Brent says the building has suffered from years of deferred maintenance. The city issued liens after inspections found code violations. Without intervention, the church could face further legal action.

Community members and historians have rallied around the effort. Local preservation groups have called on the city to work with the congregation rather than penalize it. Several clergy members from other New Orleans churches have pledged support.

"This building is not just a church," Brent told local media. "It is a piece of who we are as a people."

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has listed similar endangered Black churches on its annual watch list in recent years. Advocates say underfunded congregations often lack the resources to maintain aging structures, even when those structures hold deep historical value.

Donations to the preservation fund can be made through the account Brent established. The April 24 cleanup is open to volunteers.