Camden in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Reverend Dr Martin Luther King (1929-1968)
Photographed By Stephen Palmer, January 27, 2024
1. The Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Marker
The first sermon on British soil by The Reverend Dr Martin Luther King was preached here at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in October 1961
Erected 2024 by Nubian Jak Community Trust, Camden Council.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is October 29, 1961.
Location. 51° 30.995′ N, 0° 7.605′ W. Marker is in Camden, England, in Greater London. Marker is on Shaftesbury Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, Camden, England WC2H 8EP, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Billy Waters (within shouting distance of this marker); The Plough (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Randolph Caldecott (about 180 meters away); Topham and Lady Diana Beauclerk (about 180 meters away); Museum Tavern (about 180 meters away); Brian Epstein (about 210 meters away); Charles Kitterbell (about 210 meters away); Augustus Siebe (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.
Also see . . .
1. Camden unveils UK’s first ever blue heritage plaque honouring Martin Luther King (Camden Newsroom). Article put out by the Camden Council on the plaque dedication.
Excerpt: Camden Council, alongside the Nubian Jak Community Trust and Bloomsbury Baptist Church, have unveiled the UK’s first blue heritage plaque honouring Martin Luther King.(Submitted on January 27, 2024.)
The plaque was unveiled alongsidecommunity members, the Mayor of Camden, and Cabinet Members today (24 Jan) at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, where Dr King gave a sermon during a visit to the UK in 1961.
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Jonathan Eig, author of Times bestselling biography ‘the King’ delivered a keynote speech during the unveiling ceremony, followed by a moving performance by Impact Dance and music from Vocal Shack.
Not only is this the first plaque honouring Martin Luther King in the UK, but this is also the first commemorative plaque to be unveiled in 2024 and the first to be installed on a place of worship.
2. Camden unveils UK's first ever blue heritage plaque honouring Martin Luther King (YouTube, 2:30). Two newsclips (ITV, BBC) presented back-to-back on the plaque unveiling and MLK’s 1961 London visit. (Submitted on January 27, 2024.)
Photographed By Stephen Palmer, January 27, 2024
2. The Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Marker
Photographed By Stephen Palmer, January 27, 2024
3. Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church
courtesy of Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library, October 30, 1961
4. The Reverend Dr Martin Luther King and Eslanda Goode Robeson in London
Martin Luther King, Jr. (left) and Eslanda Goode Robeson (right) attending a gathering at the African Unity House, sponsored by the Afro-Asian West Indian Community, in London, England, on October 30, 1961.
(Eslanda Goode Robeson, per Wikipedia, “was an American anthropologist, author, actress, and civil rights activist. She was the wife and business manager of performer Paul Robeson.”)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2024, by Stephen Palmer of Ascot, England. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 27, 2024, by Stephen Palmer of Ascot, England. 4. submitted on January 27, 2024. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
