Xplore 16th St Baptist Church 1.1

The 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, stands as a significant historical landmark deeply intertwined with the civil rights movement in the United States. Its pivotal events have not only generated global awareness of the civil injustices in the South but have also contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1964.

This church has played various critical roles throughout its history—from its establishment as the first African American church in Birmingham to a central meeting space for civil rights organizers. Today, it represents a monument to progress and reconciliation. The introduction of virtual and augmented reality technology allows visitors to engage with the church's story in an unprecedented immersive manner, tracing its evolution from its original structure on 3rd Avenue North to its present-day location at the intersection of 6th Avenue and 16th Street.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about influential figures such as William Pettiford, whose leadership and contributions fostered economic growth and educational advancements within the Black community, thereby benefiting the broader Birmingham area. The church's architectural significance is noted through Wallace Rayfield, a prominent African American architect who designed the 1911 church building. He is credited with designing over a thousand structures servicing diverse communities worldwide.

The tour highlights the church's crucial involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, serving as a gathering point for activists dedicated to anti-segregation efforts. It recounts the tragic bombing that claimed the lives of four young girls, illustrating how this devastating event shifted not only local dynamics but sparked global change. This experience emphasizes the enduring legacy of the church and its active congregation as they continue to embody progress, resilience, and peace.

Located in Birmingham’s Civil Rights District, the church is integral to the National Park Service’s Birmingham Civil Rights Monument and is featured on the United States Civil Rights Trail. It was officially recognized on June 16, 1976, with inclusion in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage and subsequently entered into the National Register of Historic Places on September 17, 1980. In 1993, archival quality measurements were documented for the Library of Congress through the Historic American Buildings Survey. The church was designated as a National Historic Landmark on February 20, 2006, due to its critical role in advancing civil rights. Furthermore, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal on May 24, 2013, honoring the four young girls whose tragic deaths became a catalyst for significant advancements in civil rights legislation.