Civil Rights Era Churches Set To Make History Again
Four churches in Alabama and Georgia are under consideration for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of a broader group of eleven sites related to the Civil Rights Movement. The National Park Service, with the backing of U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, is working on nominations for four significant churches: Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia; 16th Street Baptist Church and Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama; and Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.
In addition to these churches, other sites being considered include the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the Greyhound Bus Terminal in Alabama, Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas, Monroe Elementary School in Kansas, the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home in Mississippi, the Robert Russa Moton High School/Museum in Virginia, and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Secretary Haaland emphasized that these locations are crucial for presenting a complete picture of American history and the ongoing fight for civil rights.
U.S. Representative Terri Sewell, who represents Alabama, has expressed strong support for the inclusion of the Alabama sites. She stressed their importance in recognizing and preserving the state’s civil rights history and believes that a UNESCO designation would significantly raise their international profile and importance.
Rev. Arthur Price Jr. of 16th Street Baptist Church has voiced his pride at the church’s potential UNESCO recognition. He pointed out that the church already attracts visitors from around the world and that this designation would further elevate its global presence. Price also highlighted the church’s crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement and its enduring significance in American history.
He emphasized that the Civil Rights Movement was deeply spiritual and that these churches play a vital role in the broader historical context. According to Price, each site is a fundamental part of the civil rights narrative, and recognizing them collectively would honor their substantial impact on history.