Tag Archives: Temple Emanu-EL

Bethel Baptist Church, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Landmarks

Birmingham’s Legacy of Historic Churches

Birmingham has a rich history in churches and Birmingham by the Book highlights the historical significance of many of them. Over 50 churches active in the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement from 1956-1963 are listed on page 9 the guide, and three are within the Civil Rights District.

In 1972, city directories listed 608 churches and synagogues. Early churches were encouraged to build by developers offering congregations lots at well below market cost. A 2000 publication by Birmingham Historical Society entitled Aspiration: Birmingham’s Houses of Worship celebrates this legacy and is full of photographs by noted photographer, Richard Payne, many of which are included below.

A row of gravestones in a cemetery, with green trees and a road visible in the background.
Wilson Chapel
1916
A stone church with two conical towers, featuring a large circular stained glass window and a wooden entrance, surrounded by a grassy area and walkway.
Union Missionary Baptist
1887 (1914)
Front view of Greater Saint Thomas Baptist Church, featuring a red brick exterior, a pointed roof, and a sign over the entrance.
Thomas Presbyterian 1891
Close-up of classical architectural details featuring ornate columns and decorative cornice, in black and white.
Temple Emanu-El
1913
A stone church building with a cross on the roof, large stained glass windows, and a set of stairs leading to the entrance, surrounded by neatly trimmed bushes and a road in front.
St. Mark’s Catholic 1905 (1937-1939)
Historic South Baptist Church with classical architecture, featuring tall columns and a prominent entrance, surrounded by trees and parked cars in black and white.
Southside Baptist
1911
Historic church with a tall steeple and stained glass window, set against a clear sky.
South Highland Presbyterian
1892
A historic stone church building with large stained glass windows, set against a clear blue sky, surrounded by trees.
Independent Presbyterian
1922-1926
Interior view of a church featuring a vaulted ceiling with intricate artwork and icons, including a prominent depiction of Christ above the altar.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox
1906 (1949)
Exterior view of a white church with a green roof, surrounded by colorful flowers and lush grass under a blue sky with clouds.
Holy Rosary Catholic 1889
A historic stone church in the foreground contrasts with a modern skyscraper in the background, set against a bustling city street.
First United Methodist 1890-1891
Historic brick church facade with intricate architectural details and stained glass windows, set against a backdrop of modern buildings.
First Presbyterian 1886-1888
Historic church with a tall steeple, intricate stained glass windows, and surrounding urban landscape.
First Presbyterian 1886-1888
A black and white photograph of a large brick church featuring a prominent rose window, arched entrances, and a bell tower, surrounded by greenery.
East Lake Methodist 1887 (1948)
Interior of a church featuring large stained glass windows, gothic arches, and wooden pews in a monochrome style.
Cathedral of St. Paul 1890-1893
Black and white photograph of a large church with two tall steeples, featuring intricate architectural details, surrounded by trees and parked cars on a city street.
Cathedral of St. Paul 1890-1893
A brick building with a distinctive architectural design, featuring a large entrance, multiple windows, and decorative details. In front, there is a small park-like area with green grass, a flagpole, and a historical marker.
Bethel Baptist
1926, 2006
A historic brick building with a dome, featuring large columns and arched windows, surrounded by trees on a quiet street.
Avondale Baptist
1916
Historic brick building with ornate windows and a prominent tower, showcasing architectural details typical of early 20th-century religious structures.
16th Street Baptist 1909-1911
Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham Public Library, Churches, Elyton, Historic Preservation, Research

Celebrating 150 Years of Religious & Civic Growth: A Panel Discussion

“Sacred Spaces, Civic Places,
and the Building of a Magic City”

February 27, 2022
3:00PM to 4:30PM
First United Methodist Church Sanctuary
518 19th Street North
Birmingham, AL 35203

Panelists:

  • Pam King, Assistant Professor of History and Historic Preservation, UAB Dept of History (retired)
  • Jim Baggett, Head, Archives Department, Birmingham Public Library
  • Barry McNealy, Historical Content Expert, Birmingham Civil RIghts Institute & Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Historian

Participating Congregations:

  • St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1869
  • First United Methodist Church, 1872
  • Cathedral Church of theAdvent, 1872
  • First Presbyterian Church, 1872
  • The Cathedral of St. Paul, 1872
  • First Baptist Church, 1872
  • Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, 1873
  • Temple Emanu-EL, 1882

This event is free and open to the public and childcare will be available


In 1871 the City of Birmingham was incorporated by the Elyton Land Company on farmland that would soon be the juncture of two major railroads. The location had everything – coal, iron ore and limestone, all necessary for the soon to be thriving industrial city.

At that time, there existed an African-American Methodist congregation that, according to church records, began meeting in tents in 1869. In 1872 Elyton gave five land grants to establish houses of worship for white congregants of five major denominations – Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, United Methodist and Baptist.

In 1873 the first Black Baptist church was established downtown. Then in 1882 the first temple was built for the growing Jewish community. These eight congregations comprise Birmingham’s earliest houses of worship, and they are still thriving today and have over a hundred years of sacred and civic commitment to the Magic City..

View the reprint of the 1997 newsletter with MAP here