This week in Christian history: ‘Second Martin’ born, first black missionary to Africa dies

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, November 05, 2023

Lott Cary dies – Nov. 10, 1828

Lott Cary (circa 1780-1828) was a former slave born in Virginia who became the first African American missionary to Africa and acting governor of Liberia. | Wikimedia Commons

This week marks the anniversary of when Lott Cary, reportedly the first African American missionary to Africa and former acting governor of Liberia, was killed in an explosion.

Born into slavery in Charles City County, Virginia, Cary purchased his freedom as an adult and later helped to found the Richmond African Baptist Missionary Society, serving as its first secretary.

In 1821, Cary and his family left the United States to do mission work in West Africa, eventually helping to pastor multiple churches in Liberia while serving in a political role in the region.

"Cary … was killed in an accidental explosion that occurred when he and some other men were preparing cartridges to defend their colony from native tribes," noted the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board.

"Lott Cary only served in Liberia for approximately eight years. His dream of seeing the gospel spread throughout Africa did not happen in his lifetime. But because of his efforts, Liberia is a free nation today and the American Baptist Missionary Convention continues to send men and women like him to take the gospel to other lands."