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Church · Selma, Alabama
Brown Chapel AME Church
African Methodist Episcopal church from 1908, from which the Selma marches began in 1965. It was the gathering point for the local voting-rights movement.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Brown Chapel AME Church
Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a brick building with two towers, was built in 1908 in a residential neighborhood of Selma. In 1965 it served as the campaign headquarters for voting rights and was the starting point for the three marches that March.
From there marched the protesters of Bloody Sunday on March 7 and those of the march that two weeks later reached Montgomery. Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders spoke from the church pulpit.
The church is a national historic landmark and remains active. In front stands a bust of King and commemorative plaques. The roughly 1 km route to the Edmund Pettus Bridge follows the streets the marchers walked.
Interior visits depend on the congregation’s availability.
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 20 to 30 minutes.
Best time
On weekdays during the day. On Sundays the church holds services.
How to get there
It’s on Martin Luther King Jr. Street, about 1 km from the Edmund Pettus Bridge, walkable or drivable.
Tip
To see the interior, contact the church beforehand. The exterior and the front memorial can be seen any time of day.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Brown Chapel AME Church
Can you go inside Brown Chapel?
The church is active, and entry depends on the congregation’s availability. Contact them in advance; the exterior can be viewed without an appointment.
Why is Brown Chapel important?
It was the meeting point for the voting rights campaign in Selma and the starting point for the March 1965 marches.
How far is Brown Chapel from the Edmund Pettus Bridge?
About 1 km, which takes around 15 minutes on foot.