Dexter Avenue Baptist Church

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Exterior of the church
Location:	454 Dexter Avenue Montgomery, Alabama
Coordinates:	32°22′38.26″N 86°18′9.53″W / 32.3772944°N 86.3026472°W / 32.3772944; -86.3026472Coordinates: 32°22′38.26″N 86°18′9.53″W / 32.3772944°N 86.3026472°W / 32.3772944; -86.3026472
Built:	1883-89
Architectural style:	Late Victorian, Other
Governing body:	Private
NRHP Reference#:	74000431
Significant dates
Added to NRHP:	July 1, 1974[1]
Designated NHL:	May 30, 1974[2]

Another view of the church.

Interior of the church.

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church is a Baptist church in Montgomery, Alabama. The church was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1974.^[2][3] In 1978 the official name was changed to the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who helped to organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the church's basement. The church is located steps away from the Alabama State Capitol.

History

The Dexter Avenue Baptist Church congregation was organized in 1877 and was first known as the Second Colored Baptist Church. The church trustees paid $270 on January 30, 1879 for a lot at the corner of what is now Dexter Avenue and Decatur Street. The first church building was a small wood-frame building, it began to be replaced by the current structure in 1883. The new brick building was not completed until 1889. The church began serving the broader African American community on October 3, 1887 when it hosted the first registration of students for Alabama State University.^[4] This community service continued into the 20th century with activities associated with the American Civil Rights Movement. Vernon Johns, an early leader of the Civil Rights Movement, served as pastor from 1947 to 1952. He was succeeded by Martin Luther King, Jr. He was pastor of the church from 1954 to 1960 and organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott from his basement office.^[3]

Near the church is the Dexter Parsonage Museum, which served as home to twelve pastors of the church between 1920 and 1992. It was added, on its own merits, to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.^[4]

See also

• List of National Historic Landmarks in Alabama
• List of Baptist churches in Alabama

References

1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Dexter Avenue Baptist Church". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. 2007-09-18. http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1422&ResourceType=Building. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Marcia M. Greenlee (July, 1973). National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. National Park Service. http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/74000431.pdf  and Accompanying 2 photos, exterior, from 1973PDF (1.29 MB)
4. ^ ^{a b} "History". Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church & Parsonage. 2008-12-24. http://www.dexterkingmemorial.org/history.cfm. 

External links

• Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church