Saving sacred spaces: History@Work to preserve African American churches in the South

13 November 2024 – Brandon A. Owens, Sr.

Despite their profound cultural and historical importance, civic leaders often neglect the preservation of African American churches in the South in favor of saving buildings that promise economic benefits or contribute to the development of private or public communities. Yet, these churches have always been central to African American communities, serving as places of worship, centers of civil rights activism, and sacred spaces for social and moral support. As urban development and gentrification continue to reshape the landscape of southern cities, these churches face the risk of being displaced and losing their historical significance. As public historians, we can ensure these institutions survive and continue to thrive by leveraging our work to preserve the rich heritage and cultural significance they embody.

African American Historical Research and Consulting (AAHRC), for example, empowers these churches to become their own storytellers and advocates for a comprehensive historical narrative through research, consultation, and innovative approaches. The portfolio of work completed by AAHRC clearly demonstrates how public history initiatives can effectively be used to ensure the preservation of these African American churches. AAHRC works collaboratively, engaging clients in each step of the process to ensure the final deliverable aligns with the client’s goals and vision. The organization also operates with a shared faith and deep respect for each church’s religious principles and hierarchy, fostering a partnership rooted in mutual understanding.

Many of these churches played pivotal roles during Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and other social justice actions. Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, is a prime example. Constructed in 1883, the church’s basement was the site of the first registration of Alabama State University students in 1887. In 1954, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was installed as the church’s pastor. During his pastorate, King led the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), which organized the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott. The MIA held many of its meetings in this church, where King launched the largest crusade for African American equality in the United States since the abolitionist movement.

Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church and Parsonage Museum Virtual Tour, 2021. Image credit: AAHRC

Despite its historical significance and National Historic Landmark designation, Dexter Avenue King Memorial struggled to survive when the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily ended vital domestic and international tourism, a key source of revenue. The loss of many elderly, actively tithing members also left the church facing financial and membership challenges. When the church received grant funds during the pandemic to develop an online tour, the Board of Trustees reached out to AAHRC for assistance. AAHRC worked with church leaders to create 3D virtual tours,  which allowed the church’s tourism ministry to not only survive but thrive during the pandemic. Users can take an interactive and self-guided tour of the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Interpretive Center, and Parsonage from anywhere in the world. This digital preservation effort ensures researchers, educators, and students can access and engage with the church’s history from a distance, preserving its legacy for future generations.

Historical markers can be key public history tools for African American churches in the South. These markers are permanent, state-funded, and low-cost public history projects that honor significant historical sites while preserving their stories. Having a marker ensures the legacy of these sites will always be acknowledged in the community, regardless of future changes to the physical structures.

Original Church of God and L. M. Swanson’s Nursing Home Historical Marker, Gallatin, Tennessee, 2024. Photo credit: Candice Luther Owens, Bold 4 Christ Ministries, Nashville, TN

AAHRC assisted Bold 4 Christ Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, with the creation of a state historical marker for the Original Church of God and L. M. Swanson’s Nursing Home in Gallatin, Tennessee. Bishop Lula Mae Swanson founded the Original Church of God in 1934 and pastored it for fifty-five years. In 1954, Bishop Swanson used her personal funds to establish the first nursing home serving African Americans in Gallatin, Tennessee, across the street from the Original Church of God. The installation of a marker sharing her story ensures the significance of these two sites are recognized and remembered by the wider community, providing a tangible connection to the past.

The investigation of church histories, such as the research AAHRC conducted for Ransom Temple Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee, underscores the importance of documenting and sharing these unique stories with the public by providing deeper insight into the cultural, social, and spiritual impact these churches have had on their communities. As a member of the 17th Regiment of the United States Colored Troops, Rev. Willis Ransom fought in the Battle of Nashville before pursuing Confederate General John Bell Hood out of Tennessee. After the war, he founded three churches in rural Tennessee, but the Ku Klux Klan forced him and his family to leave the area. In 1889, Rev. Ransom organized Ransom Temple in a storefront in Nashville, using the first available location to begin its ministry. AAHRC’s work in uncovering and presenting the history of Ransom Temple provided the church and its community with a detailed account of their heritage, strengthening their identity and ensuring that their story is preserved.

Ransom Temple Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA), Nashville, Tennessee, 2022. Photo credit: Ransom Temple Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Instructors, students, and practitioners can use public history in several ways to protect and preserve African American churches, which are irreplaceable symbols of our collective heritage. Oral histories of congregants, pastors, and community members can document the church’s role in the community and ensure its stories are not lost. Partnering with academic institutions, museums, and cultural organizations can help these churches access resources, such as grants and expertise in historic preservation. Moreover, educating the broader public about the historical and cultural significance of African American churches in the South can build support and empower local communities to lead preservation efforts reflective of the community’s needs and values. For example, Birmingham’s Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, site of a 1963 bombing that killed four young girls, collaborated with local organizations to revitalize its Historic District, demonstrating the power of community-driven preservation efforts while fostering economic development.

By using these public history strategies, it is possible to ensure that African American churches in the South are not only preserved but continue to thrive as vital parts of their communities amidst the pressures of urban development, dwindling membership, and gentrification.

~Brandon A. Owens, Sr., Ph.D., is the President and Chief Executive Officer of African American Historical Research & Consulting (AAHRC). Under his leadership, AAHRC won the 2024 NCPH Excellence in Consulting Award for exceptional contributions to public history through contract work and consulting.