16th Street Baptist Church

A Grounded, Historic Welcome at 16th Street Baptist Church – Alabama If you’re exploring Birmingham or seeking a meaningful historic site with a powerful story, 16th Street Baptist Church is a must-visit. This landmark stands as a beacon of courage, faith, and justice in American history, inviting reflection and learning for visitors from all backgrounds. What makes it special Rich historical significance: The church is a pivotal symbol of the civil rights movement, marked by its role in marches, activism, and the quest for racial equality. Architectural and cultural monument: The church’s architecture and preservation reflect the era and the community’s resilience, making it an important destination for history and heritage. Educational context: The site offers educational materials, exhibits, and guided context that help visitors understand the social and historical impact of the church and the Civil Rights era. Reverent, inclusive atmosphere: The space invites respectful reflection and conversation about history, justice, and community healing. Ongoing legacy: The church remains an active congregation and community hub, continuing to host events and outreach that reflect its enduring mission. What to expect A moving commemorative experience: Visitors often feel a mix of solemnity, respect, and inspiration as they engage with the site’s memory and ongoing civil rights impact. Guided and self-guided insights: Informational plaques, tours, and educational resources help frame the historical significance and ongoing relevance. Cultural resonance: The church’s story intersects with broader national history, making it a powerful stop for learning about civil rights and community resilience. Practical tips Dress thoughtfully and respectfully: The site honors a serious portion of history; comfortable walking shoes are advisable for onsite exploration. Allocate time for reflection: Plan for quiet moments to absorb the significance beyond the surface of the building. Check visiting hours and tours: Some programs or commemorations may affect access at certain times. Bring a notebook or audio guide: Jot down reflections or key facts for future study or discussion. Bottom line 16th Street Baptist Church is more than a landmark—it's a living memory and a beacon of courage, justice, and faith. A must-visit for history buffs, students, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Civil Rights Movement and its ongoing call to action. Highly recommended for travelers and locals alike who want to connect with a powerful piece of American history.

I was in Birmingham on business, so I didn't have time to experience the full tour, but I wanted to see this piece of history with my own eyes. To know what happened here is to look upon the inhumanity that is possible in men's hearts, but also the hope that things can and will be better...

It was great seeing a part of history in person standing where many Civil Rights leaders stood before me.

I regretfully did not have enough time to join the church tour but instead spent some time outside and at the park across the street. At the park you can admire the very touching statues of Dr. King and the four little girls who were killed in the church bombing during the Civil Rights Movement. I must say that I had read so many reviews of Birmingham and the area surrounding the church stating how unsafe it is I didn’t know what to expect. I can honestly say I did not feel threatened in the least while visiting the church or the adjacent park. No place is 100% safe but to me my visit was no more dangerous than any other city I’ve visited. I only wish i had allowed myself more time to enjoy it.

Extremely moving. Docents were all members of the church and 2 but for grace of God would have been there. Even if u were old enough to have seen the news stories this was not far more inlighting and so moving.

A piece of art history that should never be forgotten! Well worth a visit and Kelly Ingram Park across the way is extremely well done. Highly recommend very moving. The terrible events of here from the 60s were horrendous and should never be forgotten so that is society we continue to move forward rather than backwards

10.11.2024 - I visited this church. The cost of the tour is $10. Mr. Mallory is an excellent orator. He spoke with us about the history of the church and Birmingham. Ms. Marjory is a sweet lady who assisted me with the payment portal.

A beautiful and heart breaking place that honors the four children murdered in 1963. Church staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The church also remembers the two teen boys that were also murdered that day in Birmingham. Highly recommended.

A tragic story that also sparked resistance and resilience. The KKK planted a bomb at this beautiful house of God and 4 little girls were killed and 1 little girl survived (Sarah Collins Rudolph) but received lifelong injuries. All that to say, this place is special. It was an honor to tour it and learn more about the historical stories. They remodeled but preserved the parts they could to show the history that took place there. You can still see the black charred wall on the side where the bombing took place. A memorial is now set up across the street at a park to commemorate the 4 little girls who passed away in the bombing. One of the saddest takeaways is that the little girl who survived the bombing, Sarah Collins Rudolph, is still paying for her own medical bills (she lost an eye and had shrapnel all over her body). Her attackers never received the justice they deserved (one was later jailed but after he enjoyed most of his life and was an older man). The government still has not given her any financial support to this day (Just like the Sept 11th victims received monetary payment, she was wanting the same reparations but she never received any)!!! The appeals to the governor have come to deaf ears and blind eyes. It's very sad.

I struggle to find any really intelligent take on the big philosophical issues. Besides being a historical site, it is a church. On one hand, I don't begrudge them for setting their own limitations on visitation, on the other, the whole vibe around monetizing tragedy did feel odd; it just doesn't seem like the sort of place where you want to be told to "shop 'till you drop" (actual quote). I reserved a ticket online in advance (they take Apple Pay) but didn't feel compelled to sample the gift shop. The entrance is into a basement sort of museum and theater. There are multiple movies, including one that covers the stories of two other Birmingham residents who were murdered the same day the church was bombed, albeit elsewhere. It doesn't seem like the church has any obligation to people who weren't immediately related to its congregation, but it's to their credit that they decided to make sure the other names were not lost to history. While not overly graphic, the material here is certainly sobering. When I visited, I was surrounded by members of a fraternity from a nearby historically black university, for whom this was clearly an important trip. The staff insist there are no pictures in the basement, and masks were still being required as of my visit (it is a confined space). Only towards the end of the tour does one enter what looks like a church, and we got a brief narration before being given the chance to take pictures of the area that is actually used for whatever it is one does in a church. The building is hardly up there with some of the most aesthetically beautiful architecture, but considering the history it is an impressive site. Realistically, many people will just take pictures outside, but getting a sense of the history inside is a valuable experience.

Tony, Noel and I visited the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham Alabama. This church is steeped with history especially during the Civil Rights in the 60s. This is the church that was bombed killing several innocent little girls. Very sad history! The church is beautiful and you can tour it for free! If you are in the area you definitely need to visit the church.

Locals - stop here! I've lived in Birmingham over 4 years now and was generally aware of the civil rights history but had no idea of specifics. A friend was in town visiting so we booked the tour here. Everything was well organized, the employees were very pleasant and knowledgeable, and the site was really special to visit. I was really disappointed in myself for not having made the effort to truly witness Birmingham's history sooner. It's really special and nationally significant. I highly recommend you take the time to ask the educators questions when they finish their tours - you learn so much more that way. In my opinion, it's a huge mistake for any local to never visit here, and it's certainly a must stop for out of town visitors. Photos truly don't do it justice - book a tour.

NON-TOUR: I had only one free day for sightseeing (barely even a day), and I made sure I could see this spot in real life. It was not open that day, so there were no tours, but even taking it in was so special. The unique and imposing architecture hit you first, but the historical significance is right there waiting for you as well. This church is the centerpiece of the civil rights movement in Birmingham. It was here that luminaries such as Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to congregants. It was also here in 1963 that the KKK bombed the church, killing 4 preteen girls as they prepared for Sunday services. The church honors them in a sober manner, via its commemorative memorial, and it is worthwhile to understand what this community went through and the evils perpetrated upon them. To the left of the main entrance, you can read about the early years of the church and its groundbreaking nature in Birmingham's black history. Even on a day when it's closed, the site is chock full of interesting information. Going across the street to the park reveals a beautiful sculpture depicting the four girls right before they lost their lives. Importantly, the sculpture's information describes a fact about each girl, showing that they were human beings who deserved dignity and a longer life. Also, there is information about the two young boys killed during the resulting melee, as well as a young survivor of the bombing, who was permanently blinded in one eye. If you've ever seen the haunting images of police dogs and water cannons (with enough pressure to strip bark from a tree) used on young nonviolent protestors, it is actually this park where this occurred, during the Birmingham Campaign. Of course, this doesn't mean that such cruel state tactics were confined to this date or location. It is an important place to visit in Birmingham and fascinating, since civil rights history is American history.

Beautiful and historic church in downtown Birmingham Alabama. UnFortunately It is historic for a terrible reason as a kkk bombing claimed the life of 4 little girls. Me and my family is on a vacation trip from Lousiville to Destin and stopped in Birmingham for the night as a rest stop to see the city. The top thing on our list was to check out the rich civil rights history here and it led us to This church. The property and and kelly Ingram park across the street paint and display vital and important history and information of what happened in this city. You walk down a path or true history at both places. Overall I'm glad to have shown my kids this place and some of the injustices and harshness that occurred in our country. It's important to learn our history even the ugly ones we wish never happened.

This Church is very powerful and a very significant catalyst in the fight for civil rights. The horrific events of this church had a huge impact on not only the Nation, but the World. It is located across from the Civil Rights Museum and catacorner to Kelly Ingram Park. In September of 1963, this is the church that was fire bombed by members of the KKK killing 4 little girls while they were getting ready for church. There was one girl that survived this gut wrenching bombing and is still living. The church was constructed in 1911 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2006. it has also has the distinction of being on the UNESCO list of tentative World Heritage Sites and the National Park Service recently added the church to its The National Park Service (NPS) has added to its network of protected sites and programs. The church has suspended tours on the inside due fo COVID, but the outside is a marvel. The church is well maintained and there are actually two parts to see, the actual church and a monument of the four girls that were killed and one survivor. The monument is across the street at Kelly Ingram Park, overlooking the church and is a beautiful depiction of the girls getting ready for church as one plays with five doves. There is also mention of two other boys that were killed by police officers with KKK affiliation on the bench of the monument. This monument is respectfully done and humbling to visit. It is located in an area that is packed with civil rights history and monuments. It is well preserved and tells a story that needs to continue to be told. It is definitely a must see if you are in Birmingham, even if you can't tour inside of the church.

To this outsider, a well-executed and appropriate monument to the civil rights era. It remains important to save places of historical and cultural significance, and getting the National Parks Service to perform the task does a lot more good than harm. The timing, scale, and context of the tragedy that occurred here certainly qualify it for the treatment it receives. And the church itself acts as an appropriate monument and memorial -- no obelisk or statuary necessary. And with the adjoining park, the Gaston motel, and walking tours, the memorial is still evolving. But I do wonder how the elderly parishoners and aging community in Birmingham feel about it all. The church still operates with a dwindling membership, a symbolic gesture but a footnote in what the building has become. The once vibrant black neighborhood is largely gutted, urban redevelopment and capital flight having long since written it off as unworthy of investment -- probably an outcome not largely impacted but hastened by the civil rights activities. If King were alive to see the respect he's given in the historic reflection of the events that made this part of Birmingham so important, it would likely be overshadowed by these other losses. Will the National Parks Service one day have visitor centers at Columbine or where George Floyd was killed? Either would be appropriate, but either would probably require a lot of community input as well. More importantly, there would have to be some consensus about whether those events qualify as acts of terror, turning points in greater social struggles, or simply one-off events. We seem to be better at reflecting on tragedies of the past than tragedies of the present. Which makes it questionable whether we are drawing the right lessons at all.

Headed home to New Orleans after Hurricane IDA. Stopped in Birmingham for a cultural experience. 16th street Baptist church did not disappoint. I love learning about the history, seeing pictures from the past, the wonderful guided tour and the updated videos showing throughout the church's basement. You will get a firsthand look what happened during the 1963 bombing, see pics of the 4 little girls who died while waiting to attend Sunday school. Great step back in time with extreme relevance. There is so much more to this church and it's history... please visit if your in the area. Photo opportunities are limited/restricted throughout the tour.

A must see. Highly personalized tour from people who have been on this journey. We have a lot to learn about systemic racism and our history. This tour is about history and pictures and they leave it to you to form judgments. We have been on the civil right trail and this is a must see.

The one thing I didn't do was walk inside. They were offering a special service on MLK day, but it kept getting postponed, or the people informing us were misinformed. But I got to hang out on the steps of this church, talking to the locals, hearing their stories, and yes, some complaints... but overall it was a jovial experience. The story of this church is well documented in the history of the civil rights movement. It is a pleasure to visit and meet the congregation.

This is a place worth visiting. Thanks to President Obama, and the work of countless others, we have so many things and places to remember the tragedies of the past. The staff here is friendly and kind. They're very knowledgeable and they know their history.

If you are anywhere near Birmingham Al, stopping at Sixteenth St. Baptist Church is a must. I came knowing I would be moved by standing in a Historic Church where four young ladies were killed during the bombing. Little did I know i would also receive a history lesson of not only the Civil Rights movement, but also a history of Birmingham Al. Please take the tour and talk to others on the tour, I met a couple from Cleveland OH, who had a connection to the Wales Window in the Church. The Gentleman conducting the tour was a student a Morehouse College in Atlanta and was in the sanctuary at Ebeneezer Baptist Church in Atlanta when Dr. King was informed of the bombing. This was an emotional and gut wrenching stop, but one that every human being should experience.

Honestly it's hard for me to leave a comment about my visit here at this historical landmark without feeling emotional. If you know the story, you know how the deaths of those beautiful children rocked the nation. Great place to visit and educate yourself not only during Black history month, but anytime. I highly recommend.

Came here to see this part of History. And I wanted to see the glass from Wales. I talked to someone here and they said for me to come in I have to pay $10. I've never heard of a church where you have to pay to come into it. Really? I don't hear anyone else talking about a fee . A church that charges you to come through the door. Disgusting. Wanting to make a buck off something religious like this. If they were serious about their mission they should not only do it for free they should be inviting people in from all walks of life and welcoming everyone. Apparently they don't want to make a difference. They just want to make some extra cash. I've been in churches that have been on the national registry That have not charged a penny. I just I'm really disappointed. Did I pay for it? No way. I don't want a tour. I just wanted to enjoy the church.

This was such a beautiful experience. I recommend it to honor the lives and sacrifices of the lives lost there and the civil rights struggle. The members of the church are so warm and wonderful. The day we went some of the church elders were doing the tour and I loved it because Miss Jackie was showing us around and she is the age of 3 of the four little girls and went to school with one of them. This isn't a museum. This is a church. This is a reminder that these were wonderful people of God, who were worshipping and living but had their lives disrupted by an act of terrorism. I highly recommend. The explosion happened in the women's restroom and although they moved it, I had the strangest feeling when I went to use the restroom. It was just another day and then it wasn't. No words but thankful they share the experience.

Came to pay my respects to the 4 girls killed in the bombings, during the 1960s Civil Rights protests. It was VERY emotional for me, but my soul is all the better for it. The church looks like its been preserved in time, and I'm sure that's because of its historical significance. Everything is emasculate, and in order. So glad I made the time to come.

This one one of our stops on our road trip through the south. We didn't walk around the church because they were having service. Also, I'm not sure they encourage it. We did however walk through the park around the March Route Walking Tour. It was very well done. There is a wonderful statue of the young girls who were killed in the bombing. It was a nice memorial for such a horrible time.

I coach a high school debate team and the kids and I were in Alabama for the National tournament. After their all too early exit from the tournament, we decided to see the lovely Birmingham sites-- needless to say, the Civil Rights history was not to be missed. Our fist stop was the 16th Street Baptist Church, a place this Californian has learned about since she was young but has never seen first hand. There's something about places like this-- places so deeply rooted in the extremes of humanity-- the most evil and the most good-- that the energy never dissipates. Even as an atheist, this church moved me and it'll move you, too. The church itself is just stunning, but the story is the true star. Be sure to not miss the Civil Rights Institute across the street, to see first hand the vital role 16th Street Baptist played in the Civil Rights Movement.

We visited the church today and we'd long known of its significance. The building itself isn't extraordinarily beautiful, but the importance is what it represents....tours are given at certain times, but not when we were there - although the custodian kindly showed us around, and later we met the pastor & we had a very pleasant conversation with him. They have a small gift shop and my husband bought a very nice shirt, plus there's a small donation box and certainly the church is reliant on donations.

Visiting Birmingham for the first time, this was on our list of things to see. This is the church that was bombed by the KKK during the civil rights movement and four young girls were killed. So, it is an important part of history and was interesting to see in person. Martin Luther King had even spoken here before. We were short on time and the church was not going to be open the day we visited. But, I would recommend scheduling a tour if you have the time. It was still cool to see in person and there is a small memorial outside. Unfortunately, I can't recommend going when it's not open like we did. The church appeared to be in a bad neighborhood and the area was very deserted when we went there. There were several panhandlers hanging out in the park across the street and some approached us as soon as they saw us get out of our car to visit the church. One of them even wanted us to give him money so he could give us a "tour" of the church. I'm sure they were probably harmless but with the lack of people around this made us uncomfortable and we ended up leaving shortly after.

Had a few friends come from out of town a couple years ago and we spent a good bit of time in the Civil Rights District. Being history buffs, we were very excited and honored to be able to visit the 16th Street Baptist Church during one of their worship services. What we found was a welcoming group of people that still worship there every Sunday. I love the history that Birmingham has to offer!

A moment in history to be shared with all who come for free. My kids and I went and did the audio walking tour across the street from the church. This is very educational and an emotional experience. Highly recommend, beautiful sculptures to honor the 4 girls and civil rights history.