The church was originally founded in 1877 as the Second Colored Baptist Church.
The church site was once a slave trader's pen before the current structure was built.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s office is preserved as a small museum space within the building.
The mural in the church basement was painted by local artist John Feagin.
The church was renamed in 1978 to honor Dr. King's contributions to the site and the movement.
During the bus boycott, the church basement functioned as a dispatch center for the alternative carpool system.
The building is constructed in a traditional brick Gothic Revival style.
The interior sanctuary retains its original 19th-century layout, including the pulpit used by Dr. King.
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church served as the primary headquarters for the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. held his first pastorate here from 1954 to 1960. The red-brick building was constructed in 1883 and is designated a National Historic Landmark. A large mural in the basement depicts the history of the Civil Rights Movement. The church sits near the Alabama State Capitol, emphasizing its strategic location during the protest movement. It was formerly known as the Second Colored Baptist Church. The structure remains an active house of worship today while functioning as an educational site. Visitors are guided through the sanctuary and historical exhibits by church staff. The site preserves the legacy of the SCLC founding and local organizers who coordinated the boycott.
The exterior staircase and the historic church signage facing Dexter Avenue.
Call ahead to confirm tour availability, as the church is an active congregation and may be closed for private events.
Tours are guided; allow for time to listen to the narratives provided by the docents.
Check the church website for specific tour reservation requirements.
Do not attempt to enter the church outside of designated tour times or wander into private offices without permission.
Closed on Mondays and Saturdays; typically closed on Sundays for morning worship services.
Business casual attire is recommended; maintain a respectful volume as this is an active religious space.
