Visit Historic Birmingham Churches

Churches were one of the few places people could meet in large numbers under Jim Crow Laws. People could organize, discuss, and gather for protests as part of the Civil Rights Movement. In Birmingham, many churches were part of the movement, but three have special connections to Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and St. Paul United Methodist Church are within the boundaries of Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, but are not owned or operated by the National Park Service. Many marches that were part of Project C including the Children's Crusade started at these churches.They are located a short distance from the Gaston Motel. Contact the churches directly for tours.

Historic Bethel Baptist Church was connected to the Civil Rights Movement through the work of Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. Historic Bethel Baptist Church is mentioned in the proclamation establishing the monument, laying the basis for partnership and interpretation, and possible later inclusion in the national monument. The church is located six miles from the A.G. Gaston Motel and the other historic properties in downtown Birmingham. Contact the church directly for tours.