Ebenezer Baptist Church

Ebenezer Baptist Church is a historic and influential church located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and a popular destination for visitors who want to learn more about the civil rights movement and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In this blog post, we will explore the history, urbanism, architecture, amenities, and tips for visitors of this remarkable church.

History

Ebenezer Baptist Church was founded in 1886 by Pastor John A. Parker and eight people on Airline Street. The name Ebenezer means “stone of help” and comes from the Books of Samuel, where Samuel names a place to commemorate God helping the Israelites defeat the Philistines. 

The church grew under the leadership of Pastor Adam Daniel Williams, who became pastor in 1894 and was the maternal grandfather of Martin Luther King Jr. By 1913, the church had 750 members and was active in social justice causes such as voting rights, education, and anti-lynching campaigns. 

In 1922, a new building was dedicated on Auburn Avenue, which became the center of the African American community in Atlanta. In 1927, Martin Luther King Sr. became an assistant pastor and then senior pastor in 1931. He was a prominent leader in the civil rights movement and a mentor to his son, Martin Luther King Jr., who was born in 1929 and baptized at Ebenezer Baptist Church. 

In 1960, Martin Luther King Jr. became co-pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church with his father until his assassination in 1968. He preached many of his famous sermons at Ebenezer, such as “The Drum Major Instinct” and “Why Jesus Called a Man a Fool”. He also led many marches and protests from Ebenezer, such as the March on Washington in 1963 and the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his nonviolent resistance to racial injustice. 

After Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, his brother Alfred Daniel Williams King became co-pastor with their father until his death in 1969. The funeral of Martin Luther King Jr. was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church on April 9, 1968, and attended by over 50,000 people. The church also hosted the funerals of other civil rights icons such as John Lewis in 2020 and Rayshard Brooks in 2020. 

In 1975, Joseph L. Roberts Jr. became senior pastor and led the church for 30 years until his retirement in 2005. He oversaw the restoration of the historic sanctuary and the construction of a new building called the Horizon Sanctuary in 1999, which can seat 1,700 people and has modern facilities such as a media center, a bookstore, and a museum.  

Since 2005, Raphael Warnock has been the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. He is a progressive leader who advocates for social justice issues such as health care, voting rights, criminal justice reform, and environmental justice. He is also the first Black senator from Georgia and the first Black senator from Georgia elected to a full six-year term. He won a historic runoff election against Kelly Loeffler in January 2021 with 51% of the vote.    

Urbanism and architecture

Ebenezer Baptist Church is located on Auburn Avenue, which was once known as “the richest Negro street in the world” because of its thriving businesses, cultural institutions, and civic organizations. The church is part of the Sweet Auburn Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark District.

The historic sanctuary of Ebenezer Baptist Church was built in 1922 in a Gothic Revival style with brick walls, stained glass windows, arched doors, and a bell tower. The interior features wooden pews, a pipe organ, a choir loft, and a pulpit where Martin Luther King Jr. preached. The sanctuary was restored to its original appearance in 2001 by the National Park Service and is open to visitors as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.

The Horizon Sanctuary of Ebenezer Baptist Church was built in 1999 across the street from the historic sanctuary. It is a modern building with a circular shape, a glass facade, and a dome roof. The interior features a spacious auditorium, a baptismal pool, a stage, and a large cross. The sanctuary also has a mural of Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders on the wall behind the pulpit.

Amenities

Ebenezer Baptist Church offers many amenities for its members and visitors, such as:

Culture

• The church hosts regular worship services, Bible studies, prayer meetings, and special events such as concerts, lectures, and workshops.
• The church also has various ministries and programs for different groups, such as children, youth, young adults, seniors, women, men, singles, couples, and families.
• The church is part of the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Churches USA, which are two of the largest and most diverse Baptist denominations in the country.
• The church is also affiliated with the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, which is an ecumenical organization that promotes social justice and liberation theology among African American churches.

Gastronomy

• The church has a cafeteria that serves breakfast and lunch on Sundays and Wednesdays. The menu includes traditional Southern dishes such as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, and peach cobbler.
• The church also has a coffee shop that offers hot and cold beverages, snacks, and pastries. The coffee shop is open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• The church is surrounded by many restaurants and cafes that cater to different tastes and budgets. Some of the nearby options are Paschal’s Restaurant, Sweet Auburn Seafood, Cafe Circa, Condesa Coffee, and Just Add Honey Tea Company.

Commercial

• The church has a bookstore that sells books, CDs, DVDs, gifts, and souvenirs related to Ebenezer Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr., and the civil rights movement. The bookstore is open from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The church also has a museum that displays exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of Ebenezer Baptist Church and its role in the civil rights movement. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The church is close to many other attractions and landmarks that are worth visiting, such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Home, the King Center, the APEX Museum, the Atlanta University Center, and the Georgia State Capitol.

Tips for visitors

If you are planning to visit Ebenezer Baptist Church, here are some tips to make your experience more enjoyable:

• Check the church website for the latest information on service times, events, tours, parking, directions, and COVID-19 protocols.
• Arrive early to secure a seat in the sanctuary or watch the service online via live stream or Facebook Live.
• Dress modestly and respectfully for the worship service and avoid wearing hats or sunglasses inside the sanctuary.
• Be quiet and courteous during the service and refrain from taking photos or videos without permission.
• Explore the historic sanctuary and the museum with a guided tour or an audio guide provided by the National Park Service.
• Visit the bookstore and the coffee shop for some souvenirs and refreshments.
• Enjoy the cultural diversity and vibrancy of the Sweet Auburn neighborhood and support the local businesses.

Ebenezer Baptist Church is more than just a church; it is a symbol of hope, justice, and love. It is a place where history was made and where dreams are still alive. It is a place where you can experience the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. and his vision of the beloved community. It is a place where you can be inspired to make a positive difference in your own life and in the world.

Driving directions from the Ebenezer Baptist Church to Oakland Cemetery

Via Boulevard NE and Memorial Dr SE. 1.0 miles in 4 minutes.

1. Head east on Auburn Ave NE toward Boulevard NE for 0.1 miles.
2. Turn right onto Boulevard NE and continue for 0.7 miles.
3. Turn right onto Memorial Dr SE and continue for 0.3 miles.

Driving directions from the Ebenezer Baptist Church to State Farm Arena

Via Decatur St. SE. 1.9 miles in 8 minutes.

1. Head west on Auburn Ave NE toward Jackson St NE for 46 ft.
2. Turn left onto Jackson St NE and continue for 0.3 miles.
3. Turn right onto Decatur St. SE and continue for 1.0 miles.
4. Continue onto Marietta St NW for 0.3 miles.
5. Turn left onto Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW for 0.1 miles.

Driving directions from the Ebenezer Baptist Church to John Morrison Law

Via I-75 N. 16.7 miles in 20 minutes.

1. Get on I-75 N/I-85 N from Jackson St NE and Irwin St NE and continue for 2 minutes (0.5 mi).
   1. Head west on Auburn Ave NE toward Jackson St NE for 46 ft.
   2. Turn right onto Jackson St NE and continue for 0.2 miles.
   3. Turn left onto Irwin St NE and continue for 0.2 miles.
   4. Turn right to merge onto I-75 N/I-85 N toward Chattanooga/Greenville for 0.2 miles.
2. Follow I-75 N to GA-120/South Marietta Pkwy SE in Marietta. Exit from I-75 N and continue for 15 minutes (15.3 mi).
   1. Merge onto I-75 N/I-85 N and continue for 2.4 miles.
   2. Keep right to continue on I-75 N for 12.1 miles.
   3. Use the right lane to take the exit toward GA-120/South Marietta Pkwy SE for 0.5 miles.
   4. Keep right, follow signs for GA-120 E/Roswell and merge onto GA-120/South Marietta Pkwy SE for 0.3 miles.
3. Continue on GA-120/South Marietta Pkwy SE to your destination and continue for 3 minutes (0.9 mi).
   1. Merge onto GA-120/South Marietta Pkwy SE and continue for 0.7 miles.
   2. Turn right onto Lower Roswell Rd and continue for 0.1 miles.
   3. Turn left and continue for 46 ft.
   4. Turn left and the destination will be on the right.