Dexter Avenue Baptist Church

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Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama

OS grid reference
OS grid reference
Location	Montgomery, Alabama, United States
Address
Country
Language(s)
Denomination	Baptist
Previous denomination
Sui iuris church

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church is a historic church located in Montgomery, Alabama. It is renowned for its pivotal role in the American Civil Rights Movement and its association with Martin Luther King Jr., who served as its pastor from 1954 to 1960.

History

The church was founded in 1877 by a group of freed African Americans. Originally named the Second Colored Baptist Church, it was later renamed Dexter Avenue Baptist Church after the street on which it is located. The church's construction was completed in 1889, and it has since been a central institution in the African American community of Montgomery.

Role in the Civil Rights Movement

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church gained national prominence during the Civil Rights Movement. Under the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr., the church became a center for civil rights activism. King was appointed pastor in 1954, and during his tenure, he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the movement.

The boycott began in December 1955, following the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a Montgomery bus. The church served as a meeting place for the Montgomery Improvement Association, which coordinated the boycott. King's leadership and the success of the boycott propelled him into the national spotlight as a leader of the Civil Rights Movement.

Architecture

The church is an example of late 19th-century ecclesiastical architecture. It features a red brick exterior with a prominent bell tower. The interior includes a sanctuary with a balcony and stained glass windows. The church has been well-preserved and remains an active place of worship.

Legacy

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church is recognized as a National Historic Landmark for its significant contributions to American history. It continues to be a symbol of the struggle for civil rights and social justice. The church operates the Dexter Parsonage Museum, which preserves the home where Martin Luther King Jr. lived during his pastorate.

See also

• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Montgomery Bus Boycott
• Civil Rights Movement
• Rosa Parks

References

• Garrow, David J. Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. HarperCollins, 1986.
• Branch, Taylor. Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63. Simon & Schuster, 1988.

External links

• Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church