Tuskegee in Macon County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Butler Chapel AME Zion Church

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 5, 2013

1. Butler Chapel AME Zion Church Marker

Inscription. Before the mid-1960s, Tuskegee’s black population faced many challenges when attempting to register to vote. Furthermore, the State of Alabama redrew the town’s political boundaries in an effort to prevent registered blacks from voting in local elections. In response to this discrimination, several thousand people gathered at Butler Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church on June 25, 1957 for the first meeting of the Tuskegee Civic Association’s “Crusade for Citizenship.” Rev. Kenneth L. Buford, minister of Butler Chapel, along with several other speakers, urged their listeners to boycott white businesses. Local citizens challenged the boundary changes in court and won. National court cases and legislation eventually secured blacks the right to register to vote. By February 1964, Macon County had a predominately black electorate and several black citizens had been elected to offices, including Rev. Kenneth L. Buford, who served on the Tuskegee City Council.

Erected by Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures

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. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church, and the Alabama Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1964.

Location. 32° 25.113′ N, 85° 41.965′ W. Marker is in Tuskegee, Alabama, in Macon County. It is on North Church Street north of West Martin Luther King Highway (U.S. 80), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1002 North Church Street, Tuskegee AL 36083, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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: Booker T. Washington (here, next to this marker); Rosa Parks (approx. ¼ mile away); 119 Westside Street (approx. 0.6 miles away); "Trade With Your Friends" (approx. 0.6 miles away); Brief History of Tuskegee, Alabama (approx. 0.6 miles away); Birth of Trades Program (approx. 0.6 miles away); Macon County Confederate Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Carver Research Foundation (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuskegee.

Other markers no longer nearby. Area Churches That Hosted Important Civil Rights Meetings (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing); William P. Mitchell (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Booker T. Washington's First School located here. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 5, 2013

2. Booker T. Washington's First School located here.

Butler Chapel AME Zion Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Google street view

3. Butler Chapel AME Zion Church

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,438 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on October 21, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.