Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church (Selma, Alabama) facts for kids
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Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church
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Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, taken in 2000.
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | 410 Martin Luther King, Jr., Street, Selma, Alabama |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | A. J. Farley |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002009 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 4, 1982 |
| Designated NHL | December 12, 1997 |
Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church is a very important church in Selma, Alabama. It is located at 410 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. This church was a key starting point for the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965.
It also served as the main meeting place and offices for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). This group played a huge part in the Civil Rights Movement in Selma. The events that happened here helped lead to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This law made it easier for all Americans to vote. The nation's reaction to the "Bloody Sunday" march from Selma helped make this important law possible.
The church was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on June 16, 1976. It was later named a National Historic Landmark on February 4, 1982. This means it is a place of great historical importance to the United States.
Sadly, the church was damaged by termites and mold. This happened when it was empty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this damage, it was put on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of America's 11 Most Endangered Places in 2022.
Contents
About the Church Building
Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church is found just northeast of downtown Selma. It is a large building made of red brick with white stone details. The church was built in 1908. It was designed by an architect named A. J. Farley.
Building Style and Features
The church's style is called Romanesque Revival. It is built in the shape of a Greek cross. The front of the church has three rounded arches that lead to the entrances. On each side of the front, there are two square towers. These towers have eight-sided tops and small domes called cupolas. A small addition was built at the back of the church. This part holds a kitchen and other useful rooms.
Church's Early History
The church's congregation started after 1866. Before that, African-American and white Methodists worshipped together. But then they separated by race. The first church building on this site was built in 1869. The current building replaced it in 1908.
Role in the Civil Rights Movement
Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church is most famous for its role in the Civil Rights Movement. Many important meetings were held here in the 1950s and 1960s.
Selma Headquarters
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) used the church as its main office in Selma. This was during the protests in 1964 and 1965. These protests were very important. They helped lead to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The Selma Marches
The church was the starting point for the three Selma to Montgomery marches in March 1965. These marches were organized to demand voting rights for African Americans. The first march, known as "Bloody Sunday," saw peaceful marchers attacked by police. This event was shown on TV and shocked people across the country. It helped create strong support for the Voting Rights Act.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia AME de Selma para niños
