Selma in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

First Baptist Church

— Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail —

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018

1. First Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. First Baptist was the first church in Selma to open its doors to members of the Dallas County Voters League as well as to young activists from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. From 1963 to 1965, under the leadership of Reverend M.C. Cleveland Jr., it was the frequent site of mass meetings and nonviolence training sessions. These led to the rallies and demonstrations that culminated in the historic march to Montgomery.

In December 1964, law enforcement authorities in Selma sought an injunction against mass meetings. Martin Luther King Jr. purposely broke the law by delivering a speech at Brown Chapel on January 2, 1965. Although Brown Chapel became King's headquarters during the march to Montgomery, King and his colleagues were frequent speakers here, at what was aptly called "The Movement Church."

At First Baptist Church many African Americans learned the principles of nonviolent protest, sang freedom songs, and filled out voter registration forms for the first time.

Erected 2014 by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is January 2, 1965.

Location. 32°

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24.876′ N, 87° 1.07′ W. Marker is in Selma, Alabama, in Dallas County. Marker is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Street and JL Chestnut Jr Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on Martin Luther King Jr. Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 709 Martin Luther King Jr Street, Selma AL 36703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Turning Point (a few steps from this marker); A Grassroots Movement (a few steps from this marker); George Washington Carver Neighborhood (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lewis Scott (about 600 feet away); I Had A Dream (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sanctuary to Stage (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Washington Carver Homes Projects (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Selma.

Regarding First Baptist Church. This Gothic Revival-style church building was constructed in 1894 by a local black architect, Dave Benjamin West. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Additional keywords. SNCC

First Baptist Church with marker on right side. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018

2. First Baptist Church with marker on right side.

View from marker north towards intersection of Chestnut Boulevard and Martin Luther King Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018

3. View from marker north towards intersection of Chestnut Boulevard and Martin Luther King Street.

Part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Street Historic Walking Tour. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018

4. Part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Street Historic Walking Tour.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 685 times since then and 122 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 6, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on January 7, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.