Dublin Core
Title
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church
Subject
Montgomery County, Religion, Baptist, Civil Rights Movement, African American, Vernon Johns, Martin Luther King Jr.
Description
Located in Montgomery Alabama, the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church is most known for being at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement and being led by then pastor, Martin Luther King Jr. However the church had a long history, going back to the late-nineteenth century, of being led by politically and socially conscious religious leaders.
Created in 1877, the church was originally known as the Second Baptist (Colored) Church. A few years later, in 1884, the church was renamed the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church after the street it was built on was renamed Dexter Avenue in honor of Montgomery’s original founder, Andrew Dexter. The first pastor for the church was Charles Octavius Boothe, a freedman and author. Overall the two most renowned pastors of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church were Vernon Johns and Martin Luther King Jr. Under Vernon John’s leadership, the church members became more politically active and began to challenge Montgomery’s structured segregation. The next pastor, King, followed in Johns’ footsteps and insisted that all of his flock become registered voters and join the local NAACP. King also orchestrated the Montgomery Bus Boycott from the church. In 1978, the church was officially renamed the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in memory of Martin Luther King Jr.
Nowadays the church is under consideration to become a World Heritage Site. Visitors can also tour the church and parsonage, where king and his family lived.
Created in 1877, the church was originally known as the Second Baptist (Colored) Church. A few years later, in 1884, the church was renamed the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church after the street it was built on was renamed Dexter Avenue in honor of Montgomery’s original founder, Andrew Dexter. The first pastor for the church was Charles Octavius Boothe, a freedman and author. Overall the two most renowned pastors of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church were Vernon Johns and Martin Luther King Jr. Under Vernon John’s leadership, the church members became more politically active and began to challenge Montgomery’s structured segregation. The next pastor, King, followed in Johns’ footsteps and insisted that all of his flock become registered voters and join the local NAACP. King also orchestrated the Montgomery Bus Boycott from the church. In 1978, the church was officially renamed the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in memory of Martin Luther King Jr.
Nowadays the church is under consideration to become a World Heritage Site. Visitors can also tour the church and parsonage, where king and his family lived.
Creator
Makayla Melvin
Source
http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-1849
Publisher
Makayla Melvin; MSM0041@auburn.edu
Type
Text