16th Street Baptist Church — Attraction in Birmingham

Visiting the 16th Street Baptist Church to learn about the bombing that murdered 4 young black girls and injured more than 20 other innocent churchgoers in 1963 is an act of obligation, as far as I am concerned. For an hour, attendees will feel just a portion of the fear, hatred, and daily peril faced by black people living in segregated Birmingham, Alabama and many other places in the United States. This tour is primarily a memorial to a key moment in the Civil Rights Movement ensconced in the active church where the crime is just one moment of their long ministry. Hatred did not win. This bombing lit a purging fire that continues to burn bright.

Hopefully, all who attend the presentations and explore the church will leave with greater insight into why suspicion of white people and the police remain high among black communities. People who shared this tragedy or watched it on TV are still alive to share their trauma, as they well deserve to. A grievous wound takes a great deal of time and deliberate intervention to heal completely, yet almost always leaves a marked scar.

What gives me hope for healing is that the 16th Street Baptist Church remains an active congregation ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire community. We shall overcome such hatred by the blood of the Lamb and the power of his testimony....

I drove from Atlanta with my 10 year old son to visit the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church! What a truly awesome and memorable experience! From the moment we parked our car and walked across the street to the church we were blown away at the history we encountered. When you first arrive you are greeted by two current church members...one of which was a member during the civil rights movement. It was so wonderful to sit and listen to him give us play by play accounts of what took place during this time. He actually knew each of the four innocent little girls that were killed. He also knew Dr. King very well and had many sit down conversations with him. For a small donation of $5 they will show you a 20 minute video overview of what occurred the day of the terrible bombing as well as what happened after this unfortunate day. Additionally, they will show you the exact location where the bomb was placed. There is also a beautiful stained glass window donated from a gentleman from the UK. Such a beautiful message captured in that window. They are open to answer any and all questions you may have. They have done a beautiful job preserving the church as this church was a vital part of the civil rights movement in Birmingham. Services are still held here today! I highly recommend this...

I along with my sister and several young ladies from my church had the honor of visiting this church while in Birmingham for a national Baptist convention. We were amazed by being able to experience this iconic event in history. I dont say this in terms of the actions in1963 being something pleasant but in seeing and sitting in this place where such a tragic event occurred. I felt great sadness in the presence of the mementoes left by the friends of these four beautiful young girls. I recalled my own experiences of growing up in the church and what the scene was like if I had been in my own church when a tragic event like this occurred. We all considered this the highlight of our trip, something we will never forget. Living in California, I don't have many opportunities to experience Black history at the forefront, so this truly was a life alerting experience. If you are ever in Birmingham, please go to this ironic place and visit and also go to the civil rights museum across the street and Freedom Park. I promise you it will be a day well spent. All my prays at this moment go out to the 16 the Street Baptist Church family and the family and friends of the four little girls from their family lost in this great human...