Steeple - First Baptist Church - Wilimington, North Carolina
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 34° 14.150 W 077° 56.611
18S E 228881 N 3792225
172-foot steeple with a history at the historic First Baptist Church in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Waymark Code: WM2GNC
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 10/31/2007
Views: 30
The First Baptist Church was organized in Wilmington in 1808. Construction of the current church was started in 1860 however due to delays caused by the Civil War the church was not completed until 1870. The building was use by both Union and Confederate forces as a lookout depending on what side was occupying the city at the time. Upon completion the church featured two spires, the tallest of which is 172-foot tall. This spire with a width of only 46 inches at its base withstood many storms including Hurricane Helene in 1958, with its winds of 135 miles an hour. However, when Hurricane Fran hit the city in 1996 the spire was brought down. The congregation voted immediately to have the spire rebuilt to its original size and dimensions.
Location of the Steeple:
411 Market Street
Wilmington, North Carolina United States
28401
Approximate Date of Construction: Originally built in 1860's, rebuilt in 1997
Website: [Web Link]
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