Centennial Hill in Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
The Rebirth Of A Church: A Bell Spared And A Cross Unscathed
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 1, 2025
1. The Rebirth Of A Church: A Bell Spared And A Cross Unscathed Marker
The church bell was spared as well and rescued from the flames. However, the bell was originally a swinging mount bell, but the fire destroyed all the hardware. It has now been cleaned, polished, painted and remounted on a steel platform in this symbolic bell tower.
First Congregational Christian Church, one of the oldest Black churches in the city was built in 1872 by the American Missionary Association (AMA), a Protestant missionary group from New England who fought against slavery and founded schools to educate Blacks. The church was named a historic site in 1977 by the Landmarks Foundation and the Montgomery Historic Development Commission. It is located in one of the Montgomery neighborhoods that has received historic designation and was often referred to as "a cornerstone of Centennial Hill."
The new church edifice, rebuilt in 2002, the cross, and this bell, encompass the vision of "restoring a cornerstone of Centennial Hill" as we seek to answer God's call to mission and service. We remain ever
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Disasters • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 21, 1995.
Location. 32° 22.312′ N, 86° 17.982′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. It is in Centennial Hill. It is on High Street west of South Union Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 638 High Street, Montgomery AL 36104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Tri-Counties River Region. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Black Belt. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Centennial Hill (a few steps from this marker); First Congregational Christian Church (a few steps from this marker); Black Bricklayers Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Victor H. Tulane / The Tulane Legacy (about 600 feet away); Swayne College / Booker T. Washington School (about 800 feet away); The Hon. Rufus A. Lewis (about 800 feet away); Georgia Gilmore (approx. 0.2 miles away); South Jackson Street / Victor Hugo Tulane (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Jackson-Community House / The Montgomery City Federation of Womens Clubs
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 1, 2025
2. The Rebirth Of A Church: A Bell Spared And A Cross Unscathed
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 1, 2025
3. First Congregational Christian Church Sign with Bell & Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 1, 2025
4. First Congregational Christian Church
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 12, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
