The pastor whose term of service in the city has been far longer than that of any other, is Rev. Oliver Webb, of the African Baptist Church. He has served in that capacity in Hannibal for twenty-five years, and now finds himself the shepherd of a flock numbering 300 souls; with a hands me brick church edifice, the cost of which, with ground and furnishings about $8,000. His Sabbath congregations number about 800 in the morning, and 75 in the evening. His Sabbath School has 150 scholars and 15 teachers. His church will comfortably accommodate a congregation of 400. It was built in 1872, largely from means furnished by the colored people. As a conservator of morals among colored people, this organization has accomplished a great and good work.

Source: R. I. Holcombe. History of Marion County, Missouri: Written and Compiled from the Most Authentic Official and Private Sources : Including a History of Its Townships, Towns, and Villages, Together with a Condensed History of Missouri, the City of St. Louis, a Reliable and Detailed History of Marion County, Its Pioneer Record, War History, Resources, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Prominent Citizens : General and Local Statistics of Great Value, and a Large Amount of Legal and Miscellaneous Matter, Incidents and Reminiscences, Grave, Tragic and Humorous. St. Louis : E. F. Perkins, 1884.