Russell in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Zion Baptist Church

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2022

1. Zion Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Congregation was organized by 18 Blacks in Aug., 1878. First church on Center St., 1882; present church bought, 1927. Notable pastors have been W. H. Craighead, D.E. King, A.D. Wms. King (brother of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) and H.D. Cockerham. Zion was base for local and state civil rights activities: Ky. Christian Leadership Conference office was in adjoining building.

Erected 1979 by Kentucky Historical Society • Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1657.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1878.

Location. 38° 15.262′ N, 85° 47.253′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Russell. It is at the intersection of West Muhammad Ali Boulevard and South 22nd Street, on the left when traveling west on West Muhammad Ali Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2200 W Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville KY 40212, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: I. Willis Cole, 1887-1950 / Home of I. Willis Cole (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); St. Anthony Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Samuel M. Plato, Architect / Buildings by Samuel M. Plato (approx. 0.9 miles away); Louisville to Portland Turnpike (approx. 0.9 miles away); Central High School (approx. one mile away); Fort-on-Shore (approx. 1.1 miles away); Carl Braden Memorial Center / Home to Campaigns for Racial Justice (approx. 1.1 miles away); Louisville Western Branch Library (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . . Zion Baptist Church. Church home page includes its history "from humble beginnings" and biographies of its pastors. (Submitted on August 5, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2022

2. Zion Baptist Church Marker

Marker is partially obscured by the tree in front of the church.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 418 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.