New Bethel Baptist Church (Detroit, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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New Bethel Baptist Church
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New Bethel Baptist Church, 2019
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| Location | 8430 Linwood St. (C. L. Franklin Blvd.) Detroit, Michigan |
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| MPS | The Civil Rights Movement and the African American Experience in 20th Century Detroit MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 100006130 |
| Added to NRHP | February 8, 2021 |
The New Bethel Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in Detroit, Michigan. It stands on C. L. Franklin Boulevard, also known as Linwood Street. This church was founded in 1932. It became very important during the Civil Rights Movement in Detroit.
From 1946 to 1979, the church was led by the famous Reverend C. L. Franklin. His daughter, the legendary singer Aretha Franklin, grew up singing here. The building was officially recognized for its historical importance in 2021. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
The Church's Beginning
New Bethel Baptist Church first opened its doors on March 6, 1932. Several pastors led the church in its early years. These included V. L. Bolton, Horatius "H.H." Coleman, N. H. Armstrong, and William E. Ramsey. They helped the church grow in its first decade.
The C. L. Franklin Era
A Growing Church Community
In May 1946, Reverend C. L. Franklin became the new pastor. At that time, the church had about 400 members. They met in a bowling alley! By October 1951, the church moved into a brand new building. This new church cost $250,000 to build. It was very large and could seat 2,500 people.
In the 1950s, New Bethel became famous for its amazing gospel choir. Their performances were even broadcast on the radio every week! Reverend Franklin himself participated, along with music director Thomas Shelby. Reverend Franklin's daughter, Aretha Franklin, also sang with the choir. A young James Cleveland played the organ. In 1956, a 14-year-old Aretha Franklin made her very first recordings right there at New Bethel.
In 1961, the church had to move again. Their building was in the way of a new highway called the Chrysler Freeway. At this time, the church had grown to 4,000 members! For the next two years, they met in a temporary home, the Gold Coast Theater.
Moving to the Oriole Theater
On March 10, 1963, the church found a new permanent home. They moved into the old Oriole Theater building. This building was in bad shape, but Detroit architect Nathan Johnson helped remodel it. The project cost over $500,000. This was a special project because it was Detroit's "first major all-Negro building project." African-American architects, builders, and even money lenders worked on it.
The Detroit Free Press newspaper described the new church. It said the glass doors and white interior made it feel like a smaller version of Cobo Hall. More than 2,000 people joined a parade of cars to celebrate the move. Reverend Franklin called the journey a "trip from the valley to the mountain."
A Center for Civil Rights
During the 1960s, New Bethel Church became a very important place for the Civil Rights Movement in Detroit. Reverend Franklin led the way. Many key events happened at the church:
- In May 1963, Reverend Franklin became the head of the Detroit Council of Human Rights. This group asked for permission to hold a large march. This march became known as the Detroit Walk to Freedom. The group also wrote the "Declaration of Detroit." It pointed out that many African-Americans in Detroit lived in poor housing.
- The Detroit Walk to Freedom happened on June 23, 1963. Reverend Franklin and members of New Bethel planned it. This protest had 125,000 people! It was the largest civil rights march in the country's history at that time. The march ended with a powerful speech by Martin Luther King Jr. at Cobo Hall.
- In February 1965, a special event was held at New Bethel. It raised money for Dr. King's efforts to help people register to vote in Selma, Alabama.
- In November 1965, Coretta Scott King, Dr. King's wife, gave an important speech at the church's annual Women's Day services.
- In October 1966, Martin Luther King Jr. himself gave a speech at New Bethel. He spoke at the church's annual men's day dinner.
- In November 1966, James Meredith spoke at a rally at New Bethel. He had been shot earlier that year during his March Against Fear in Mississippi.
- In April 1969, a memorial service for Dr. King was held at New Bethel. It marked one year since he had passed away.
Important Events at the Church
Since the 1960s, New Bethel has been the location for many important services. These include funerals and memorial services for well-known Detroit residents. For example, singer Dinah Washington's funeral was held there in 1963. Florence Ballard of The Supremes had her funeral there in 1976. David Ruffin, lead singer of The Temptations, also had his funeral at the church in 1991.
Reverend C. L. Franklin's own funeral was held at New Bethel in August 1984. His daughter, Aretha Franklin, was also married there in April 1978. She married Glynn Turman in a ceremony that included singing by The Four Tops.
Recent Years
After Reverend Franklin passed away in 1979, the church faced some challenges for over two years. In June 1982, Reverend Robert Smith, Jr., became the new pastor. Reverend Smith continues to lead the church today.
In 1987, Aretha Franklin returned to New Bethel. She recorded her album, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, right there at the church. This album was released on the Arista label. It was later re-released in 2003 with even more songs.
