Temple Baptist Church – King Solomon Baptist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Temple Baptist Church / King Solomon Baptist Church
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The main auditorium of the church.
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan |
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| Built | 1917 / 1937 |
| Architect | J. Will Wilson / Unknown |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival / Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000159 |
| Added to NRHP | May 1, 2015 |
In Detroit, Michigan, you can find two special buildings that together are known as the King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church. For a long time, they were called the Temple Baptist Church.
The two buildings look very different from each other. The first one was built in 1917 and has a classic Tudor Revival style. The second, larger building was built in 1937 and has a cool, modern Art Deco look. These buildings have a very important history, especially during the Civil Rights Movement.
Contents
History of the Church Buildings
The story of these buildings involves two different church groups over many years.
The Temple Baptist Church Era
The first church on this spot opened in 1917. It was called the Fourteenth Avenue Baptist Church. A few years later, in 1921, it joined with another church and was renamed Temple Baptist Church.
At that time, many people from the southern United States were moving to Detroit to find jobs in factories. Most of the people who attended Temple Baptist Church were from these families.
In 1934, a famous pastor named Rev. J. Frank Norris was invited to lead the church. He was so popular that he also led another large church in Texas at the same time! After some disagreements within the church, George Beauchamp Vick became the pastor in 1950.
The King Solomon Baptist Church Era
In 1951, the Temple Baptist Church group moved to a new location. The buildings were then purchased by the King Solomon Baptist Church, which was started in 1926.
This was a big moment for Detroit's African American community. The main church building could hold over 5,000 people, making it the largest auditorium owned by African Americans in the city at the time.
A Center for the Civil Rights Movement
The King Solomon Baptist Church quickly became a very important place for the Civil Rights Movement. This was a time when African Americans were fighting for equal rights in the United States.
The church was a place where leaders could meet, plan, and give powerful speeches. It was an early member of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, a group of churches that supported the Civil Rights Movement.
Famous Speeches and Visitors
Many famous leaders visited the church to speak to large crowds.
- Malcolm X: In 1963, he gave one of his most famous speeches here, called "Message to the Grass Roots". In this speech, he talked about the importance of Black people working together to gain their rights.
- Martin Luther King Jr.: The famous civil rights leader also spoke at the church.
- Other Leaders: Important figures like Ralph D. Abernathy and Benjamin Mays also visited and gave talks.
Because so many important events happened here, the church is recognized as a historic place.
