Twelfth Baptist Church (first) is built.

Originally the First Independent Baptist Church, the congregation was formed in 1840 by members of the First African Baptist Church, who wished to take a more aggressive stand on ending slavery, and met initially in various rented locations including on Joy Street. George H. Black is the first minister. Leonard Grimes serves as pastor from 1848 to 1874, during which time it becomes known as the “Fugitive Slave Church.” Congregants include Lewis and Harriet Hayden, Shadrach (Frederick Jenkins), Anthony Burns, Thomas Sims, and John Swett Rock. The congregation moves to Shawmut Avenue (second) in 1906,* then to Warren Street in 1958.*