Didn’t this unassuming building play a pivotal role in American history? This is the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Detroit. It stands as a testament to faith, community, and the relentless pursuit of civil rights.
Dexter Avenue Baptist Church shares its name with a more famous church in Montgomery. Montgomery’s Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church is rich with history. That church was founded in 1877 by freedmen and free people of color. Originally, it was known as the Second Colored Baptist Church.
In 1879, the church trustees bought a lot for $270. This lot was at the corner of Dexter Avenue and Decatur Street. The first church building was a small wood-frame structure. Construction of a new brick building began in 1883. It wasn’t completed until 1889.
The Dexter Avenue Baptist Church has a long history of community service. On October 3, 1887, the church hosted the first registration of students for Alabama State University. Over the years, the church has served the community. It provided a meeting place for civic, educational, and religious groups.
Much of Montgomery’s early civil rights activity was directed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from his office in the church. The church’s original name was the Second Colored Baptist Church. It was later changed to Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. This happened after Market Street was renamed Dexter Avenue. The avenue honored Andrew Dexter, the city’s founder. In 1978, the name changed again. It became Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. This honored Dr. King, who led the congregation from 1954 to 1960.
In 1980, artist John W. Feagin painted a mural at the church. It depicted Dr. King’s journey from Montgomery to Memphis. The mural portrays the Jim Crow era and the Civil Rights Movement. It begins with the bus boycott. It traces the journey for equality kickstarted in Montgomery under Dr. King’s leadership.
The church building was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 3, 1974. Montgomery added the church to its list of historic sites on July 13, 1976. Thousands of tourists visit the church each year. They come to be inspired by its history and Dr. King’s role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The Dexter Parsonage Museum was home to twelve pastors from 1920 to 1992. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
While details about this Detroit church are sparse, we recognize the importance of its name. It is sharing a name with a building that served as a cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement. It reminds us that every place of worship can be a beacon of hope and change. May this Dexter Avenue Baptist Church continue to serve its community. May it inspire all who pass through its doors.