Ebenezer Baptist Church, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site

King’s grandfather and father were both pastors at Ebenezer Baptist, and so it was here that he learned the Christian doctrines crucial to his belief in nonviolence. Worship and preaching at Ebenezer shaped another of his defining characteristics, encouraging development of the oratorical style that made him a speaker of compelling power. In 1960, after attending divinity school in Boston and serving as a minister in Birmingham, King became a co-pastor of Ebenezer Baptist.

The civil rights movement was growing rapidly by the time King moved back to Atlanta. Like the rest of the South, the city was profoundly segregated, and the importance of religion in the black community made churches logical places to organize efforts to end discrimination. Both before and after 1960, Ebenezer Baptist hosted numerous civil rights movement conferences, meetings and strategy sessions.

The significance of Ebenezer Baptist Church and Sweet Auburn was honored in 1980 when the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site and Preservation District was established. Designed to "protect and interpret for the benefit, inspiration, and education of present and future generations the places where Martin Luther King, Jr., was born, where he lived, worked and worshipped, and where he is buried," the district includes the church and King’s birth home.

Restoration Plans and Progress
Phase one of the church’s restoration took place from spring 2001 through January 2002. It consisted mainly of structural repairs such as roof stabilization, reinforcement of the balcony, and heating, plumbing and electrical work, as well as installation of a fire suppression system.

Phase two is scheduled to start following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in 2004. This work will be more visible: restoring stained-glass windows, returning the church to its original peach coloring, replacing the flooring with original hardwood, and restoring pews, choir stand and loft.

The restoration has been funded in part by a $620,000 federal Save America’s Treasures Grant and $500,000 in private SAT matching funds.

Public Access
The sanctuary is open to the public from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Sunday services at the church are open to the public and start at 7:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. The sanctuary may be closed to the public for special services.

Contact Information
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
407 Auburn Ave., NE
Atlanta, GA 30312-1599
Phone: 404-331-6922
E-mail: linda_byers@nps.gov
Website: www.nps.gov/malu

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Other Points of Interest
Explore these links on the National Trust’s Web site to learn more about how preservation benefits individuals and communities.

America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Since 1988, this list has been one of the most effective tools in the fight to save America's irreplaceable architectural, cultural, and natural heritage. Use the new 11 Most Endangered database to learn about threatened sites in Georgia.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org/11most

Preservation Success Stories
The rehabilitation of Ebenezer Baptist Church is just one part of the revitalization of Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org/community_partners

Historic Hotels
Planning a visit to Georgia? Try one of these hotels from the National Trust For Historic Preservation's book, Historic Hotels of America Directory.

Windsor Hotel
Website: www.nationaltrust.org/historic_hotels

The Mulberry Inn
Website: www.nationaltrust.org/historic_hotels