News Summary
The 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham is constructing a new Education and Visitors Center to honor the memory of the 1963 bombing victims. The center aims to educate visitors on civil rights history and dually serve as a community engagement hub. Significant funding has been secured from local and national organizations, reflecting a commitment to preserving the legacy of the tragic events that claimed four young girls’ lives during a church service.
Birmingham, Alabama – In a significant step towards preserving and promoting civil rights history, the 16th Street Baptist Church has embarked on the construction of a new Education and Visitors Center. This initiative comes amidst ongoing commemorations of the tragic 1963 bombing that claimed the lives of four young girls during Sunday services.
The bombing, which occurred on September 15, 1963, resulted in the deaths of Addie Mae Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley, while injuring over 20 others who were present in the church at that time. The explosion took place just before the 11 o’clock service, indicating an intentional act of violence against the congregation. Among the survivors, Sarah Collins Rudolph, only 12 years old at the time, suffered severe injuries, including the loss of an eye.
The brutal act was perpetrated by four members of the Ku Klux Klan: Thomas Edwin Blanton Jr., Bobby Frank Cherry, Robert Edward Chambliss, and Herman Frank Cash. Chambliss was convicted in 1977 and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of McNair. Following a reopening of the bombing case in the mid-1990s spurred by increasing public interest, both Blanton and Cherry were convicted in May 2000, also receiving life sentences. Cash passed away in 1994 without facing prosecution.
On September 15, 2024, the church held its 61st commemoration event for the bombing victims, which included a wreath-laying ceremony to honor their memory. The event served as a poignant reminder of the tragic past and the ongoing fight for equality and justice. As part of this legacy, famous stained glass artist John Petts created the Wales Window for the church, symbolizing an act of kindness from abroad in response to the violence faced by the community.
Alongside the construction of the new Education and Visitors Center, the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium, led by Reverend Lukata Mjumbe, is working diligently to record and share lesser-known stories from the civil rights movement. For the past seven years, the consortium has documented over 100 stories, yet many more remain untold. However, funding challenges due to significant cuts to the DOGE threaten the consortium’s ability to continue its vital work.
The planned Education and Visitors Center will span 13,000 square feet and is set to include classrooms, meeting areas, a restaurant, and an exhibit hall. Its main objective is to educate visitors on civil rights history and to keep alive the memory of the four girls. The center aims to facilitate community engagement, education, and reflection on justice and equality for future generations.
Funding for the new facility has been secured through a combination of local foundations, national organizations, and government support. Notable contributions have come from Regions Bank, the Alabama Power Foundation, among others. Additionally, the Birmingham City Council has allocated $200,000 towards the center’s construction, partially funded by American Rescue Plan dollars.
This ambitious project signals a commitment to ensuring that the history of civil rights, as exemplified by the events of 1963, is not only remembered but is also a source of inspiration and education for generations to come. The new center stands to play a vital role in bridging the understanding of past struggles with the pursuit of justice and equality in the present and future.
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Additional Resources
- WVTM13: Alabama Civil Rights Heritage Sites Funding Cuts
- Wikipedia: Civil Rights Movement
- Bham Now: Welsh Artists Visit Birmingham
- Google Search: 16th Street Baptist Church Birmingham
- Alabama Reflector: Birmingham Church Bombing Survivor
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Birmingham Church Bombing
- ABC3340: Birmingham Commemorates 61st Anniversary
- Google News: Sarah Collins Rudolph
- Yellowhammer News: Education and Visitors Center
- Google Scholar: Civil Rights Education Centers
- Birmingham Times: Regions Bank Pledge to 16th Street Baptist Church
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
