Seven Acres and a Church

A resilient congregation unites to preserve the oldest continuous Black Baptist church in America, confronting erasure and reclaiming a legacy of faith, land, and belonging.

When the Housing Authority of Savannah plans to demolish Yamacraw Village for the second time in more than 80 years, septuagenarian Georgia W. Benton, her children, and community members launch a fight to preserve the community, restore the buildings and protect the foundation of the oldest continuous Black Baptist Church in North America. As Georgia's efforts begin, she pulls in support from local architectural preservationists, historians, politicians, and residents. Together, they must tackle institutionalized practices of land condemnation, lack of affordable housing, racism, urbanization, and neglect.