Ebenezer Baptist Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ebenezer Baptist Church
Service in 2023 in the Horizon Sanctuary (built 1999) with President Biden speaking
33°45′19″N 84°22′27″W / 33.75528°N 84.37417°W / 33.75528; -84.37417
Location	Atlanta, Georgia
Country	United States
Denomination	Baptist
Weekly attendance	6,000
History
Founded	1886

Ebenezer Baptist Church is a famous church in Atlanta, Georgia. It is known for its important role in American history. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a co-pastor here from 1960 to 1968. Many important events happened at this church. Today, Raphael Warnock, a U.S. Senator, is the senior pastor. The church is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.

The Story of Ebenezer Baptist Church

How It Started and Grew

Ebenezer Baptist Church began in 1886. Pastor John A. Parker and eight people started it on Airline Street. The church's name, "Ebenezer," comes from the Bible. It means "stone of help." This name reminds people that God helps them.

Adam Daniel Williams, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s grandfather, became pastor in 1894. At that time, the church had only 13 members. By 1903, it grew to 400 members. In 1913, there were 750 people attending. A new church building was opened in 1922.

Leaders of the Church

In 1927, Martin Luther King Sr. became an assistant pastor. He later became the senior pastor in 1931. His son, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., became a co-pastor with him in 1960. They worked together until Dr. King Jr.'s death in 1968.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Time

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a very important leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He preached many powerful messages from the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church. His work helped bring about big changes for equal rights in America.

Senator Raphael Warnock's Leadership

In 2005, Raphael Warnock became the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. He is the fifth senior pastor in the church's history. In 2020, Pastor Warnock decided to run for a U.S. Senate seat. He won the election in 2021. This made him the first Black senator from Georgia. In 2022, he was elected again for a full six-year term.

A Place for Important Events

Ebenezer Baptist Church has been a place for many significant moments. The funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held here in 1968. Later, in 2020, the funerals for Rayshard Brooks and Congressman John Lewis also took place at the church.

In 1999, a new, larger church building was opened. It is called the Horizon Sanctuary and can seat 1,700 people. This new building is also part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. By 2021, the church had 6,000 members.

Pastors of Ebenezer Baptist Church

Here are the senior pastors who have led Ebenezer Baptist Church:

• 1886–1894: The Reverend John A. Parker
• 1894–1931: The Reverend Adam Daniel Williams
• 1931–1975: The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Sr.
  • 1960–1968: The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (co-pastor)
  • 1968–1969: The Reverend Alfred Daniel Williams King (co-pastor)
  • 1971–1975: The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss (co-pastor)
• 1975–2005: The Reverend Joseph L. Roberts Jr.
• 2005–present: The Honorable Reverend Dr. Raphael Warnock, who became a United States Senator in 2021.

Images for kids

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  Interior of the historic church building in 1979

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  Preserved historic church building

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  Pulitzer Prize winning photo of Coretta Scott King at the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr. (1968), comforting their 5-year-old daughter, Bernice

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  Martin Luther King Sr at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1979

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  Martin Luther King Sr., Rosalynn Carter, Andrew Young, Coretta Scott King, and Jimmy Carter at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1979

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  Dexter King, President Bill Clinton, and Coretta Scott King at the church in 1996

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  Horizon Sanctuary (dedicated 1999) in 2016

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  Modern visitor center

See also

In Spanish: Iglesia Bautista Ebenezer para niños