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Church · Birmingham, Alabama
Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
A 1911 Baptist church where four girls died in a 1963 bombing, facing Kelly Ingram Park, with sculptures that recall the marches of that year.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
The 16th Street Baptist Church, built of brick with two towers in 1911, became a gathering point for the civil rights movement in Birmingham. Many of the 1963 marches started from there.
On September 15 of that year, a bomb placed by members of the Ku Klux Klan exploded in the building on a Sunday morning and killed four girls: Addie Mae Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley. The bombing shocked the nation and contributed to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The church remains active and welcomes visitors on guided tours at specific days and times, with a small exhibition in the basement. Outside, a plaque and a memorial honor the victims.
Across the street, Kelly Ingram Park has sculptures that recreate the scenes of 1963, with dogs and fire hoses, and a trail that tells the story of the marches.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About one hour, including Kelly Ingram Park.
Best time
On weekdays, during visiting hours. On Sundays the church holds services.
How to get there
It’s at the corner of 16th Street and 6th Avenue North, facing the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, within walking distance.
Tip
Check the church website for days and times of guided tours. Kelly Ingram Park can be visited at any time of day.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
What happened at the 16th Street Baptist Church?
On September 15, 1963, a bomb exploded in the building and killed four girls. The bombing became one of the pivotal events of the civil rights movement.
Can you visit the 16th Street Baptist Church?
Yes, on guided tours at set days and times. Check the church’s website for the schedule.
What is Kelly Ingram Park?
The square in front of the church where protesters gathered in 1963. It has sculptures that recall the attacks with dogs and fire hoses.