On May 21, 1961, this church was a refuge for the passengers on the Freedom ride…read more
The congregation first organized in 1866; early parishioners had worshiped during slavery at the other First Baptist Church in Montgomery, on Perry Street. Before the American Civil War, blacks were allowed only on the balcony of that church: "they were never allowed on the main floor of the sanctuary unless they were sweeping or mopping." In 1867, 700 African-American communicants had marched to an empty lot on the corner of Ripley Street and Columbus Street, declaring themselves the "First Baptist Church (Colored)" and founding what became "the first 'free Negro' institution in the city." The wooden building itself, which faced north to Columbus Street, was called the Columbus Street Baptist Church. Fire destroyed the first frame church. Between 1910 and 1915, the church was rebuilt (now facing east, toward Ripley Street) under the leadership of pastor Stokes. Members of the congregation were asked to each bring a brick a day to build it--hence the church's nickname, the "Brick-A-Day Church."
In the first few decades after its establishment the First Baptist Church (one of the first black churches) became one of the largest black churches in the South, growing from hundreds parishioners to thousands. Almost a hundred years later, in the 1950s and 1960s, it was an important gathering place for activities related to the civil rights movement, and became associated with the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Freedom ride of May 1961. From 1952 to 1961, the church was led by civil rights activist Ralph Abernathy, a good friend of Martin Luther King, Jr., who preached a few blocks away, at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, from 1954 to 1960.
I didn't attend service here, I had a plane to catch, but I wanted a glimpse of yet another historical marker. I did, however, hear the wonderful, soulful songs and vibrant music of the service in session. The church is also very beautiful. The only odd thing was it's right across the street from the jail. Just seemed odd to me. Get out of jail and get ya some Jesus!
