Dexter Avenue Baptist Church is a historic church located in Montgomery, Alabama. The church was founded in 1877 and was originally called the Second Colored Baptist Church. In 1889, the church moved to its current location on Dexter Avenue, where it was renamed Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. The church played an important role in the civil rights movement, and it is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor from 1954 to 1960. King’s leadership at the church helped to galvanize the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was one of the first major civil rights protests of the 1950s.

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture, with its pointed arches, stained glass windows, and soaring spire. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can take a guided tour of the church, which includes the sanctuary, the basement, and the parsonage where Dr. King and his family lived during his tenure as pastor.

Today, Dexter Avenue Baptist Church continues to be an active congregation, with weekly services and a variety of programs for the community. The church also operates a museum and archive, which houses a collection of artifacts and documents related to the civil rights movement and Dr. King’s time in Montgomery. The church and its surrounding neighborhood have been designated as the Dexter Avenue King Memorial District, which includes several other important sites related to the civil rights movement.

Overall, Dexter Avenue Baptist Church is an important landmark of both Montgomery’s history and the civil rights movement. It serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of those who fought for equality and justice, and it continues to inspire new generations to continue the work of creating a more just and equitable society.