Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church Reviews

This old church (dating back to the 1870s) holds an important place in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. It was restored and renovated in 1980. Martin Luther King, Jr, came here as a young pastor and served from 1954-60) and the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 was organized here.

We walked in the door about 2 min after a tour began. Immediately we were given a giant genuine hug for a welcome. We then went upstairs and had a fun time learning about the history of the chapel and how Dr. King was one of many pastors who have served the church. Highly recommend. Reasonably priced as well! Was around $35 for 3 adults and kids.

This is the one and only church Dr. King was a preacher at. We had Wanda as our guide, and we couldn’t have been more blessed to have her to kick off our visit. She showed us around King’s office, took us upstairs to the main chapel and she sang “we shall over come”. An amazing guide for an incredible place.

Another civil rights attraction.worth seeing. Very interactive tour guide. Unforgettable!!!! Tour guide very knowledgeable and encourages everyone to keep the Dream alive!

Beautiful historical church but unfortunately the still interior isn’t because of Covid. They do have a nice gift shop though so at least check that out.

In February I went on a long-awaited self-guided civil rights tour in Alabama and Georgia. One of the highlights of my trip was meeting Glensile and going on her tour of the Dexter Street Baptist Church where MLK was pastor from 1954-60 (I believe.). It was thrilling to be in MLK's office where important meetings took place including for the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1956, which MLK spearheaded. But just as importantly was the connection I made with Glensile and her time,knowledge and thoughtfulness. Please make sure to include this on your itinerary. There's nothing as important as an awareness of the struggle for civil rights in the 1950s and 60s.

We had a brilliant guide in Wanda, who clearly loved what she was doing, she had passion and compassion, fire and knowledge. Just seeing the pulpit where Martin Luther King preached was a very moving experience.

Stopped by the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church recently. So much history and an emotional experience. Would highly recommend this church to visit while in Montgomery.

Sadly we missed the tour so couldn’t see inside but it was awesome just to see the church and to see the street outside where so many marched from Selma. You also get a stunning view of the Alabama State Capitol where Jefferson Davis was proclaimed 1st president of the Confederacy AND where Dr Martin Luther King gave his speech to the thousands who had marched. Really powerful place.
Plenty parking and places to eat nearby

First off: Take the tour. It’s just a historical building in a historical town until your tour guide Wanda brings a depth and moving experience in a way I’ve rarely experienced. There is an emotional connection she has a way of bringing out that you honestly have to experience. It’s not just because Dr. King himself was one of the pastors here - his work lives on in the feeling and love she is able to connect you with, all the while pointing out historical aspects of the building, along with the stories behind them. Diverse crowds come to this place and embody the sprit and idea Dr. King preached about and moved people too. Do not leave town without coming here!

History at it's best. Just being in the only church that Dr. Kind pastor was a Great experience. Had opportunity to walk into the office that he occupied. The Santuary was so spirtual.

This is sacred space and those who show you Dr King Jr.'s office and lecturn and the basement and sanctuary know that and make it all come alive. The short introductory video narrated by Julian Bond is helpful. (Wanda was our loving, enthusiastic, knowledgeable guide and person in charge.)

A small church with a big history. Your tour will allow you to stand in Dr. Martin Luther King's office, touch hands to the lectern from which he preached, and have your picture taken in one of the most venerable places in Montgomery. Your tour guide will bring history to you in a vivid and very interesting way. Kudos.

Interesting to think that Martin Luther King was preaching int this church and was living in the city of Montgomery where historic events took place . Thank you to Wanda for her explanations and her kindness.

If you are at all interested in Civil Rights history and some of the real hero’s and heroines of our country, you must visit this church and its historic and important location on Dexter Avenue, a couple of blocks from the Alabama State Capital! This area is rich in history that we can never forget. The church has the most engaging, interesting tour guides who talk, recollect, and sing! My tour was so good, I came back the next day for church! What a great experience!

I visited on MLK Birthday and what an awesome experience and service. To see different ages and races come together and united to celebrate him was an experience I will never forget.

We had a surprisingly good tour of the church. They let you see the small office in the basement where Dr. King worked. The murals in the main art of the church are very interesting. The guide is very enthusiastic and welcoming.

We got here on a nontour day so only got photos of the outside. My kids know nothing of the civil rights history so a photo did nothing for them. Anyway, the building itself is well maintained and made me want to see inside. Guess that's another trip.

We had a wonderful tour guide, Wanda Howard Battle, who made the events that took place in and around this historical place come alive. My husband, 14 year old daughter, and I learned so much. This tour was definitely a highlight of our weeklong road trip. Don't miss it!

Our school group visited first thing in the morning. Sister Wanda led us in song, took us around the church, shared her passion for God, and taught us about the incredible impact this church had in the Civil Rights movement. Wonderful! Finishing with another song in the sanctuary...we shall overcome!

A delightful tour of this unassuming church. Guide was very knowledgeable, encouraged questions as well as photos and even took them for everybody. Very special place.

Our tour guide was fantastic. She was enthusiastic, welcoming, and knowledgeable. I learned so much and was so glad that I visited. I would definitely recommend the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church to others!

I visited the church on March 30th and it was fun and excite to hearing about the late Dr. Martin Lutheran King JR.

We came to see King Memorial Baptist Church. On Sunday morning, however, was The Worship Celebration, which stayed with my wife to follow. Memorable occasion.

Our visit to the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church was greatly enhanced by the knowledge and enthusiasm of our tour guide. She was simply marvelous.

Not open to see inside. Just historical marker and pretty building church building on walking trip through the city.

In early March we visited this historical site in the shadow of the State Capitol in Montgomery where Martin Luther King, Jr. was pastor from 1954 to 1960 and organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott from his basement office.
There is a tour of the church and parsonage on Tuesday through Saturday at specific times; the fee is very reasonable. Since we arrived halfway through a tour, we were privileged to be a part of two tours with a group of two college student classes.
Our docent was Wanda Howard Battle who was a very personal guide to each person and had us all feeling like part of a larger and better group. She made the sanctuary, the basement, MLK’s lectern, and his office come alive with her words of history, culture, spiritualism, art, music, and humanism.
It was a very uplifting hour tour, and one which you need to experience when you are in Montgomery.

the minute we walked in the front door we were met with a huge smile and an immediate hug. although the sign said the next tour was at 3:00, it was now 2:36, she took us to the tour guide ,her cousin, wanda, who wan only a few minutes into the tour, where we are immediately greeted with another big hug. now with 2 big, sincere hugs in less than 5 minutes how can we not feel welcome? wanda was so bubbly and informative, she was there when dr. king pastored this church, we were getting first hand information. how can you beat that. she knows every nook and cranny of that building and she made us all feel so welcome with her loving bubbly attitude, she even took our photographs at certain key spots without us even asking. she peppered the tour with her own impromptu mini sermons, she could make, even a non church goer, want to attend just to be a part of a service. these two ladies were wonderful. do not miss seeing this church!

No sooner did we enter the door than Brenda greeted us with a warm hug. Although we didn't have time for an "official" tour, Brenda found Jamila Jones, who gladly gave us a private walk through. She shared so much information about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and is clearly very enthusiastic about welcoming visitors to this important site.

Wow - this is a place you really should go. Everyone you meet here is full of love/ hope and inspiration. Wanda was simply the most amazing person I met on my two week vacation in the USA. Put this tour to the top of your list when in Montgomery.

We had a phenomenal visit today with Wanda. The tour takes around 45 minutes, you see a short video of the history of the church and then Wanda brings to life Dr King and his time there. She had us all chanting, singing and laughing - she was amazing. We were lucky enough to have a pastor and his family on our trip, so after a song at the end he said a wonderful prayer which brought the tour to a perfect end. Well worth taking the time and the very reasonable $7.50 cost.

Definitely recommend taking the tour very informative great tour guide..don't under why more people don't go
Price right

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the sanctuary of the church and the more historical part on the lower level which included Dr. King's office.
We were able to put on hands on the podium which was used when MLK gave the "mountain" speech, we saw his desk, his robe, his typewriter, his books.

It was a great tour primarily because of our guide Miss Wanda Battle. She had all of the participants singing, repeating parts of the speeches. Normally I don't like that type of thing but she made the time both educational and interesting.

She knows the history of the church and of Dr. King's life extremely well and it is obvious immediately that she loves being a part of the life of the church and of Dr. King and his followers.

I cannot recommend the tour highly enough!!

Great view of the outside of the church. Just missed the tour. I felt very special being in this environment.

Ms Wanda Battle gave an outstanding tour! Has a passion for MLK and the church's history in the civil rights movement. Highly recommend it!

We toured the church and learned much about the times and beginnings for Dr. Martin Luther King. Well organized and informative.

We enjoyed our visit to the church and learning of Dr. King's service there. Our tour guide Wanda was delightful and so welcoming. It was interesting to learn details of Dr. King's early life as a pastor..

Not a large, pretentious church, but the significance of having Dr. King as a pastor, and the fact that the church was where much of the planning for the peaceful protests of bus segregation occurred make it memorable and very worthwhile to visit.

We took pics of the outside. We hope to visit again in the near future to attend a service at the church.

The church where Martin Luther King Jr had his first congregation and became inspired to work for equality. The church itself is interesting but we had an incredible docent give us the tour.

We were mesmerized by two sisters that warmly greeted us and carried on their own ministry. No proselitizing took place; all was produced to help us relive an era and a way of life.

We were traveling through Montgomery on a Monday so we just walked by this historic church located a block from the Alabama State Capitol Building. Signage provided us with basic information about its history. Worth the quick stop. FYI if you want to tout the Capitol Building you have to be there before 4. The whole Capitol Hill top area is surrounded by pretty white government buildings and historical signs but at 102 degrees we made it a. Short stop.
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Let me start by saying that we arrived at an “off” time and didn’t get to take the tour, but I wish we could have! The very kind woman (one of the 70 or so current members of the church) allowed us a quick peak and explained that the gentlemen who were speaking with the last tour group were surviving participants in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. To hear directly from them in the room where Martin Luther King Jr. and others actually organized the boycott....that would have been special. We missed it; Check the tour schedule ahead of time to be sure you don’t!

The tour was absolutely awesome. The tour guide was great. So much information about the church and the city of montgomery.

The Dexter Avenue King Baptist Church is located on the corner. It's red brick is dwarfed by the Alabama State Capital and all of the white stone state office buildings. But this church is a part of history.
Pay the modest fee and add a donation to enter the modest church and see/listen to the opening video. Then the church ladies who conduct the tour will tell you the history of the church and the ministers who were there. They will give you the history. Take your photo in front of the mural which pays tribute to Dr. King and the leaders before and after him. The tour includes a visit into Dr. King's office in the church (no photo-taking in his office). Go upstairs to the church-proper. The pews and altars.
The church ladies tell you everything and were often there when it happened i.e. the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

My family was moved by this tour led by Wanda Battle. Her passion and reverence for the history, the church, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is inspirational. Would recommend going well out of your way to see the church and parsonage. Being in the presence of historical locales, with original studies and artifacts adds to the sense of history.

Wanda was our tour guide. She was very welcoming.
Thank you to her team for making our visit so enjoyable.

It is incredible to say we have stood in the office where Martin Luther King wrote many of his sermons. You can't help but feel his presence because his office is perfectly preserved. From the moment we arrived Wanda made us feel welcome, her warm personality radiated and it is clear that she makes everyone who visits fell special.

Must visit if you are in Montgomery. The church is very active, so try to go on a weekday.

Most of the tour is in the lower floor, where the pastor's office and gathering spaces are. Dr King's office is still in tact and the space where he met with civic leaders during the Montgomery City Bus Boycott is a real link to important American history.

I found this to be an uplifting and joyful experience, particularly the ending of the tour in the sanctuary.

The docents / tour guides are fantastic and it's obvious they want to continue the peaceful movement of Dr King

The people who share this with you are wonderful. The mural in the basement is an education by itself.

The tour was a great experience. It includes a short movie of about 10 minutes, Martin Luther King’s office, the pulpit used by King, a review of the pastors, the King mural then upstairs to review the church along with a group song and prayer. The tour director Wanda Battle guides this tour with so much pride, desire, enthusiasm and joy. You just cannot help feeling good and loved.

There are people still attending Dexter Ave, when MLK was the minister. This is a functioning church. We had to wait to go into the sanctuary because the choir was practicing. The tour guides are so kind and informative. I highly recommend it.

We were just in time for what we saw was the last tour of the day, and we are so glad we were.
We were VERY enthusiastically welcomed by both the guides, just as the video had started.
The tour starts in the 'basement' and Dr Kings office before moving upstairs to the church room itself.
A must do

We drove from Memphis, hoping to it would be worth the drive, and we will never forget this wonderful place...

Our luck would have it that we visited on Sunday morning and got to experience the church service.

The atmosphere of friendship, love and acceptance by the local community and blasting sounds of the most engaging, passionate gospel choir are still vivid in our memories.

After visiting the Lorraine Hotel (Civil Rights Museum) in Memphis, followed by Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church - our trip from Australie was worth every single mile of it.

Thank you for your warm hospitality.

Our tour of Dexter Ave King Memorial Baptist Church was a highlight on our trip to Montgomery. We received such a warm welcome! Wanda is an excellent tour guide, able to share details of MLK's time at the church while linking this important history to contemporary events. We highly recommend taking the time for a tour here.

Visited the church before touring the parsonage. We were welcomed by two lovely women who guided us during our visit. Being able to go inside the church where Dr King preached was amazing. We were able to see the pulpit at close quarters and stood inside his office where he worked. Another treat was the lecturn that he used to deliver his 'I have a dream' speech. The church has a strong christian ethos which was very evident during our tour. Our main guide was Wanda who was a wonderful companion who exudes the positives of Christianity, including acceptance, warmth, hope and faith. Thank you, it was a memorable visit that will stay with us for a long time :-)

Be careful walking in the vicinity of this church on a Sunday morning—folks will run you over and sadly they are all members of the congregation!

Weren't able to go inside because the last tour is at 3pm (a little early) and we were caught up at the Memorial around the corner.

That being said, it was still worth stopping for a few minutes outside. If you have seen any movies about MLK, Rosa Parks, and/or the Montgomery bus boycott you'll recognize the church and stain glass windows. Walking up the stairs you can almost feel MLK walking the same way Sunday morning, with his congregation, preparing to preach, looking out over the street.

This tour really was the highlight of our visit to Montgomery, mainly because of the tour guide. Wanda was so informative and vivacious, and she was actually acquainted with many of the people she spoke about during the tour, including MLK. it was inspiring to visit the church and learn of the involvement in the civil rights movement. This is definitely worth a stop!

Our guide Wanda was fabulous. Friendly, loving, informed. We saw a short film about Dr. King's early years in the civil rights movement. Then Wanda showed us the church including Dr. King's office and the chapel. Call ahead for reservations.

The tour guide was amazing. She was not only entertaining but very passionate and knowledgeable about the history of the church and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She was even quick to mention Vernon Johns. If you don't know him, don't feel bad, there isn't much taught on, depending on where you grew up. http://www.biography.com/people/vernon-johns-21402221.

This tour was a pleasure to be a part of and one of the best things about it was being able to touch the very podium that Dr. Martin Luther King stood behind when he gave his powerful speech near the Lincoln Memorial monument in Washington D.C. My family was in awe over this experience! It is a MUST DO if you traveling to Montgomery, AL.

This was an unforgettable experience. Wanda, our tour guide was fantastic. She was funny, incredibly welcoming, and hugely knowledgable. We arrived in between tour times, but Wanda gave my family a tour nonetheless. It was truly fantastic. You get up close to the aspects of the church, including Martin Luther Kings office. I can't recommend this tour enough if you are in Montgomery.

Walking into this amazing building where Dr. King was the pastor is an experience I'm thrilled to have. Wanda is the kindest, most loving soul. As she showed us around she told story after story. What a wealth of information she is. This is a must see. Make time to visit and to visit the parsonage.

This was such a moving and informative visit and Wanda is a true treasure. I was glad to have this experience with my teen aged daughter as I think it left a lifelong impression on her. I cannot emphasize enough that this should be the top of the list for everyone to visit when then come to Montgomery.

This place is the definition of LOVE! While this may sound "hooky", be prepared to be embraced in a meaningful way. Wanda our tour guide was the most exceptional person we met on our trip. She was real, full of love and full of stories of her Church, and of Dr. King. While this was not high on our list due to time constraints, do not, do not, miss out on this experience! You can thank us in your hearts after a visit to this sacred space. Thank you Wanda for your energy and love of this Church; and your signing voice is absolutely fabulous. Aretha would be very impressed!

This is a small but lovely church right near the capitol. The ladies who work there are warm and welcoming and their tours are informative. I would love to have joined a Sunday church service but couldn't. The tour takes about 30 minutes. You will learn about the importance of this church in MLK's life and its impact on the community, especially during the civil rights era.

Other people mentioned the warm welcome. Both the lady who greeted us and the tour guide hugged us and tried to connect by learning our names and where we were from. I assume we were lucky on Saturday that there were children practicing who sang for us and then a musician played so we could hold hands and sing songs. While this may seem corny or uncomfortable, it was far from it. It was so heart warming and wonderful that all of us there on tour and people in the church itself all came together in the same spirit as Dr. King. Our tour guide and her family were a part of the civil rights movement and has known original members of church who knew Dr. King. She shared history as expected but also gave personal stories and was wonderful about engaging and connecting with visitors. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and had to leave earlier than we wanted. They have a nice little gift shop and a beautiful mural of Dr. King's life.

Mrs Battles gave us the tour of all tours. From preaching from the pulpit to singing We Shall Overcome altogether as we all held hands, this was a memorable tour. Dr. King's office was intimate and a touch of being up close and personal with history. The icing on the cake was having been prayed over by Wanda Battles at the end. She made this tour much more memorable with her selfie stick.

My Australian friends and I had the benefit of attending a church service at this historical church. From the moment we stepped inside we were greeted and welcomed as if we were regular attendees.
The churchgoers were friendly, accommodating and the service itself (albeit a little long - allow 2 hours) was interesting and informative and a great experience.
Even if you aren't religious, it's sure worth a visit. The singing was amazing.

Everyone who enters is a child of God. Upon entering you are immediately greeted by a loving hug from one of the current church members. The usual tour guide wasn't feeling well so we were given the tour by a church staff member who offered little gems throughout the usual official guide. After a short video, we get to see Dr. King's office were he worked on his sermons. The sanctuary was truly an emotional experience. We sang "This Little Light of Mine" and ended our time together in a group holding hands with our new friends and praying. Everyone MUST be present in our country's history and take time to visit this landmark.

I was overwhelmed by the grace and love shown to each and every visitor! Ms. Wanda Battle and Ms Brenda Colvin are wonderful ambassadors of the radical love Dr MLK Jr. called us to practice. The spirit of the movement lives on.

What can I saw but WOW! The tour of this small pastor study and infamous church sanctuary was awe inspiring. The intimacy of the group and tour guide Mrs Battle made the tour special. Being on hallowed ground allowed my daughter and I feel like we were transformed into the Civil Rights era. Recommended this site to all visitors.

A pleasant way to start our anniversary trip. The mural in the basement with anticipation of the history to be presented brought us here. We were not disappointed in the least. Wanda was extremely courteous and did a fabulous job of keeping everyone engaged. Her knowledge and passion for the full history were very evident in her delivery.

If you are Montgomery to soak up the history of the civil rights movement, you must stop at the church King himself once ministered at. The ladies who run the tours are themselves worth the visit. Their exuberance and connection to the site is a joy and they bring the hisotry to life.

It was destiny for Martin Luther King Jr. to have settled into this church and changed the world. Wanda, our guide was knowledgeable and brought a personal touch to this tour. I cried, I got chills, I laughed, and was inspired in this tour. Fulfill your own destiny by visiting this historic American site!

We couldn’t go inside but it is still worth going to see this historical site, given its importance to history and the civil rights movement.

Good tour...lots of info on the young minister MLK Jr
I especially liked the history depicted by the mural.
Would have more of a narrative on the young minister based on the interviews with parishners

Montgomery downtown was an education in itself! Spiritual home of Martin Luther King . The church is well maintained and the fabric and style of the building is impressive. An eternal flame burns brightly outside the church - - a fitting testament to the Civil Rights movement. A Heritage trail is marked outside the church - well worth a visit.

The only church that Martin Luther King pastored. Some artifacts from when he was there but mostly done in the period decoration. There was a short movie followed by a very dynamic presentation by an excellent docent named Wanda. Many of the beginnings of the civil rights movement.

I'm sure all the docents are great but Wanda was the one we had and we loved her. Make sure she sings for you.

You have got to love a tour guide that welcomes you with hugs and a song! I am not religious, but I was ready to start attending church here after my fantastic tour.

Recently renovated, and now a National Register property, this red brick church now has an eternal flame streetlight dedicated to Dr. King. This is a must-see for anyone.

We we're hoping to see both the church and Dr. King's home, but our time was limited and we arrived a bit late, but we got to see the church, and experience the tour given by a wonderful and energetic lady. Unfortunately, I am so bad at remembering names, I would've loved to give her credit here, but you'll have to take my word for it. She had such a positive and loveable appearance, we loved it! She really made the tour. I went there with my husband and a friend of ours, and our friend said afterwords that he wasn't really interested in going in to the church (he did it because I wanted to), but he really enjoyed it and said he's going to remember it for as long as he lives because of the charming guide we had.

She told the story of the Church and of the importance of both the building and the people in it through history with such empathy, it was obvious that she really cared about it. So fun to see and feel that you are a part of it, even for a short while (and even though we were the only white ones on the tour, really didn't matter!). We loved it!

So glad this part of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is being saved. He has an amazing story to have been so young and thrust into his role in our history.

Just go! I had a tour guided by Wanda. I planned on being early for a tour, but was allowed to be a late entry to the current tour. Wanda is so amazing. Just a wonderful spirit who provided so much education and context to the role of the church in Montgomery as a whole and in Black and American history. The tour allows you to visit Dr. King's office and original desk. There was a church meeting when I went and everyone was soooo welcoming to visitors. There aren't words to fully describe it all. I just strongly encourage everyone to go!

We did a tour with Wanda, what an amazing tourguide (and woman!!!). Lot's of history in this church and if you're interested in the civil rights history a must see!! Thanks Wanda! You're a very special lady!! We very much enjoyed the Tour and Will recommend it to others.

Although we arrived at the church too late in the day for a tour, just seeing the place that Dr. King was first a minister was incredibly moving. Should be on everyone’s bucket list when visiting Montgkmery

Wanda was so very nice and it was great that she had family history with the church. She made us sing and introduce ourselves and we sat in he sanctuary and sang and talked and said aloud quotes from Dr. King’s speeches as she director. We further went downstairs and viewed a short video regarding Montgomery and went in King’s office. They have souvenirs that you can buy and you can take pictures as long as you are in the picture that is taken or your group. Nice experience...

My husband and I visited the church with our son and daughter-in-law and we loved our visit here. It was educational, uplifting, and a memory to cherish. I have admired Dr. Martin Luther King since I first saw him on television news as a small child. I was captivated by his message and his courage and it was very moving to sit in the office where Dr. King sat and wrote his sermons for 5 years and to put our hands on the lectern where he gave the "How long? Not long!" speech. Our tour guide, Wanda Battle, was amazing, welcoming, and a wealth of knowledge. All the visitors introduced ourselves, we sang songs, we hugged and we learned so much about Dr. King's role as the father of the Civil Rights Movement in the American South. I really felt the spirit of Dr. King in this place and in the hearts of its wonderful members and the fabulous tour guides. I want to go back to the church for a Sunday Service. I cannot recommend this place highly enough to people of all ages and backgrounds.

My wife and my kids visited Dr. King's church during our annual road trip which included many civil rights stops. Wanda was our guide. It was wonderful to walk in a place where so much history was made that still matters today. The basement where local residents met back in the day to organize the bus boycotts after Rosa Parks made her stand to Dr. Kings office to the church itself. All that being said, Wanda is the best part of the visit. Her spirit her good energy just uplifts you. She had our family and another family from Texas join her in a prayer of thanks before we left that hallowed place where every day people's courageous deeds still resonate and matter today.

Love seeing the dogs in Montgomery, but it was moving to see MLK Jr.'s church, where he preached. Visit it at night and during the day to get both aspects.

My wife and I attended Sunday service at this church with its incredible history. Wonderful music and celebration. You are greeted as a member of the family. Interestingly the service was attended by a large number of us "white fok"

Wanda, our tour leader, was exceptional as a leader and as a person. She really made it come alive. Lots of insight into the that period of history.

To know that the organist who played for MLK is still playing today...a living legacy that should be celebrated everyday!

I have never felt so at home in a church. Wanda was an amazing guide and very knowledgeable. It has history dating back to the late 1800s through the Civil Right movement. You can touch MLKjrs desk! This is A must visit!

Two things stood out about this church and the tour. The first is the historical significance of Martin Luther King planning the Montgomery bus boycott here. On the tour, you get to sit in his office where all of this was planned, and everything is as it was when MLK sat at the desk. Second is the tour guide, Miss Wanda, who did not lecture, but made you care about what had happened there. It's only a block from the Alabama Capitol. A must see if you have any interest in the Civil Rights Movement.

Walking thru this church was inspiring and educational. The tour guide..who I wish I could remember her name..was a blessing to talk with.

Visited this site as part of a civil rights trip to Alabama. Very moving to stand in the same area as those who came before us to do the work needed so we would one day be able to vote. Thank you to all those people.

We were greeted with a hug from one of the guides. It was really nice to see the church and learn the history of it. I would have enjoyed it more if we could have looked around more. We sat for about a half hour listening to the guide- which was fine. I learned a lot about the building and some of the parishioners. I think she talked too much to the guests (spent a long time on introducing ourselves and one lady went off on a political tangent). I would have been happier just learning about the church and MLK Jr.

We were lucky enough to have Wanda lead our tour of this historic church. She brought to life the history of the church, the years that MLK, Jr. led the congregation and the important impact it still has today. She sang for us out of the joy in her heart for Jesus and life. We had a gentleman from Michigan on our tour. He played the hymn “As the Deer”on the piano. I highly recommend this as a stop while in Montgomery.

We felt so honoured to have the privilege of standing in the church where Dr Martin Luther King gave sermons. The girl who did the tour with us was excellent and explained every minute detail to us.
I would highly recommend everyone to visit this church and learn some history of the great injustices that black people suffered

The city of Montgomery was the heart of the Civil Rights Movement. Loved visiting every site that relates to the movement.

Interesting church where civil rights meetings were held. Toured the downstairs office of Martin Luther King.

Historic and inspirational,the tour was a little long and the docent verylong winded. It is in walking distant of the Southeren Proverty Law Center and the Civil Rights Museum .

Unfortunately, could only admire this historical church from the outside. It was just sufficient to know, though, that Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, had been its pastor and to imagine him address his congregation. Would just love to have been able to see the interior.

As if Just being there wasn't enough! But we were fortunate enough to witness their 139th church anniversary with Dr.Bernice King as guest speaker! It was an honor and a blessing!

Tour guide started in basement where Rev. King's office is and a beautiful wall mural was painted. She took us upstairs where
the beautiful church is still functioning.

We went to the church as part of a family reunion trip. At the door we were greeted by one of the museum tour guides who gave us a big hug and welcomed us into the church. Our tour guide for the day was Ms. Wanda. She was phenomenal. She was not only informative, but you could feel the passion she had for her job in all that she said and did. She made everything interactive, and she made the history really come alive. It was awe inspiring to sit in the pews and look up to where the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stood as a preacher of this church. You could really feel the love of Dr Kings messages from the people who worked there.

She knows her facts and has read up on her history and fun facts about MLK Jr.! Wow does she know her stuff! Wanda makes everyone feel loved and important. She explains the heritage of MLK Jr and the little known facts about him. The church itself is a gem and I would recommend everyone go visit! Fabulous experience!!!

Visiting this church is absolutely worthwhile. It's still an active church but not a rich church, so it's as it was in the 1960s. Sitting in Dr. King's office was mind-blowing. Going up to the pews and knowing that it was right there that Dr. King led the bus boycott, that the church would be filled to overflowing with people willing to take risks for their citizenship rights.... it's very profound. The women who run the tours are fabulous.

I wasn't a fan of the tour , however, Ms. Sharon ( I think that was her name) was a great host. I did not know this church was founded by slaves. The benches in the church are original. There is a nice mural painted in the be basement.

We arrived at the church and were greeted with a hug! Then Wanda showed us the church with so much enthusiasm and love that it was infectious to the whole group. She is a tour guide like no other! I especially loved seeing and touching the things that MLK had actually used during his time in the church, including the lectern for the "How long? Not long" speech that he gave on the capitol steps after the Selma march. This was a great tour and Wanda was the best tour guide ever.

Excellent guided tours of the church where Dr Martin Luther King Jr served as pastor, and where the civil rights movement began.

Just very cool to be in the heart of Montgomery and see up close the place where Dr. King became such an iconic figure and so much history was made.

Taking a tour of this church and learning about its role in the civil rights movement, especially the bus boycott is enlightening. It's now an important national historical landmark and is worth visiting.

As great admirers of Dr Martin Luther King Jr it was a real privilege to visit the church where his civil rights activities started. The short video and the wonderful guided tour by the passionate, informed, and incredibly warm Wanda, made for a vacation highlight for the whole family. An amazing experience, which will be long remembered!

While walking in downtown Montgomery, we walked towards the State Capital and suddenly found ourselves in front of the church that Dr. King first preached at. A tour was just ending, and the lovely tour guide allowed us to enter. Usually, patrons go to the Dr King parsonage site, pay their fee for both sites, and finish here. No photos allowed inside. A good tour of both the church and the basement contains some old archives. The church has been unchanged since the day it was founded in 1877, and since Dr King preached there from 1954 to 1960.

A real insight into people's lives in the Deep South today - such welcoming people and amazing history as Dr Martin Luther King was the pastor here for many years - the mural is amazing.

Was amazing to have stood on the grounds where history is rooted. Two blocks up is the Baptist church which President (Confederate States of America) Davis attended. It's worth viewing the images, buildings, of American rich history.

We loved this tour and the experience! Besides the story of MLK’s rise to leadership in the civil rights movement, this was an opportunity to meet so many people from around the country. Our guide was wonderful.

Anyone who knows about MLK knows that he preached here for many years and it still breathes his spirit. Lovely caretaker, who prayed with me right on the spot. My heart was touched and I will always remember my brief visit here.

Coming from California the Civil Rights movement in the south was a newspaper headline. Our tour guide, Wanda Battle, changed that and made this visit a life-changing experience. To see where Dr. King worked and preached was exceptional but Wanda brought the spiritual side of Dr. King and explained how many other people worked together to peacefully make a change in our country. Don't expect this to be a tour of a church......Wanda greeted us with a hug. She had no idea our background or our viewpoints and it didn't matter to her. She shared hers which definitely reflected her faith in a real sense.....she even sang Amazing Grace with my husband and asked a young man to end the tour in prayer. We learned so much from her.

Our tour guide Wanda was such a friendly and knowledgeable woman. She was so engaging and welcoming to us, and we walked out of the church feeling both informed and loved. Would definitely recommend to those who are interested in civil rights history.

Like in everything in life, the story has to be told well. This is a great tour. The tour guide Wanda was extraordinary. Like a preacher she got us laughing, singing, and crying. Seriously. We learned about the place, history, and ourselves. It was one of the best tours I have ever been on. An absolute must!

This place is the birthplace of the civil rights movement in the sixties. You need to be there to understand our history from that period. Very informative movie and guide.

Dr. King preached at this Church and held meetings here for the Civil Rights Movement. It is absolutely worth the stop, such a great thing to see in person - really remarkable.

While visiting several historical sites, one of the tour guides let us inside to view the church. The guide was very informative and took us downstairs to see Dr MLK's office. I was not expecting to be able to go inside to visit but the volunteers was very welcoming and had a great sense of pride! Great experience!

We went here after our visit to the Legacy Museum and the Memorial. Hearing Kings words, seeing his office and sanctuary, and being led by Wanda, the steward and guide in this space, provided the time of lament and hope we needed.

We added this to our trip itinerary on somewhat of a whim as we were driving through Montgomery, and so glad that we did. The scheduled tours were closed for the day, but our family was invited to your the church by the wonderful volunteers. Stepping into Dr. King's office took our breath away as you realize the footsteps you are walking in, the desk, the phone, his robe.

Before leaving I asked about the world famous Miss Wanda, and so glad that I did. She was done with tours but took the time to speak to all of us, share stories, history, take photos with us, and repeated all of our names until she knew them. She is a very special woman and her love of God and people is a true embodiment of what Dr. King stood for. We will be back to visit our Sister Wanda whenever we are back to the area.

My family and I went on a tour of the church. Our tour guide was Wanda Battle. She was so rich in knowlege and personality. She had the ability to make everyone in the tour feel like she was their personal friend. My 18 daughter is still talking about how amazing she is. You do not want to miss this incredible lady while you are in Montgomery. It is a must see. Please tell her the Lara family from Dallas says hello!

The church where Dr. King launched his ministry and where he was propelled into leadership of the Civil Rights Movement.

The free tour and 15 minute film are excellent. The tour guide makes it fun for all ages. Be ready to hear beautiful singing and join in.

This was to be a main feature of my trip. I was very disappointed that they were closed Saturday after 10:00 am

We truly enjoyed visiting this historic church and hearing wonderful stories from the staff. Very powerful to sit in the pews and know Dr. King preached here.

My daughter and I spent a day in Montgomery site seeing.

This is a must see if you are on a civil right your. This church played an important role in civil rights movement.

The tour guides were really knowledgeable and engaging. It was close to closing time and we were able to get a tour. We weren’t rushed and they encouraged dialog.

I highly encourage one to visit when in the area. This lectern was used by MLK when he delivered the ‘How Long, Not Long’ speech on the Alabama State capital.

This active church is an amazing time capsule with the volunteers leading the tours being long serving church members. If you’re visiting, please show some respect and don’t ask for photos when they kindly ask you several times to not photograph in the church. You’re not entitled to taking photos and you put the elderly ladies in an uncomfortable spot when you ask.

Absolutely fantastic. Our tour guide, Wanda, was a gem. Energetic, knowledgeable and just lovely. Our whole family loved hearing about Dr. King, the church itself, standing at the lectern where Dr. King delivered his sermons, and visiting his office. Wanda was excellent and welcomed every person and brought joy to the tour, and to our whole day. The highlight was when we held hands with the others on the tour and sang together in the church.

I didn't know the church was downtown and down the street from the State Capitol. Literally down the street. The church was built in the 1800s. I didn't get a chance to tour but I was so happy to see it and reflect on its historical significance.

We visited the church where Martin Luther King preached it was a very eye opening beautiful experience.

Had a powerful tour from Wanda. She told of the important history here and made it personal. She was wonderful. The place is an important historical spot!

Very welcoming congregation, a powerful sermon and a lovely service in the historic church of MLK. The church is kept in good condition and there is information about MLK, but the church balances an currently active spirit filled congregation and honoring MLK and the history of Civil Rights in Montgomery.

We had the best tour guide at Dexter Ave King Baptist Church, Dr. King's first and the only church he pastored. We were greeted with hugs and left with our spirits lifted. You find yourself in awe when you are standing where so many brave souls met not only to worship but to obtain civil rights for all people. The video, the mural, the tour are excellent.

This is an historic church, ministered to by Dr King during the Montgomery bus boycott and a witness to his later historic march from Selma to Montgomery.

The church runs organized tours about every hour. The tour guide knows and loves the church. It is amazing to sit in the pews and imagine MLK preaching from the pulpit.

Beautiful church right down the street from the Alabama State Capitol. It is in a safe and easily accessible location - we parked at the Capitol and walked. We did not go inside, but we still picked up that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. organized the Montgomery bus boycott (1955-1956) from his basement office here.

To spend a few moments in one of the places where Rev. King studied, preached, and worked was a profoundly moving experience. Hearing the stories as told by the docents, Wanda and Aviva, further shed light on the history of this church and congregation even before Rev. King's time as pastor as well as today.

The tour includes time in the sanctuary, which has not been remodeled, as well as the lower level area where Rev. King's study and other artifacts are located. Photographs are allowed only in the sanctuary and outside.

Tour times for both the church and parsonage (a few blocks apart) are published on the web site where reservations can be made. Cash and credit cards are accepted as payment methods for the admission fee. Visitors may park in metered spaces in front of the church or on side streets. Bring quarters (except on Saturday) to feed the parking meter because the city does not use the smartphone apps as can be found in other cities. The church is within walking distance of the steps to the Alabama State Capitol.

The lovely little church started a movement and we are so glad we saw it. Our GPS took us right there easily.

My wife and I look back on this tour as the highlight of our visit to Montgomery. The church isn't beautiful like cathedrals that I have visited. It is about the sense of its historic importance. To stand at the pulpit where Martin Luther King delivered sermons and addressed the congregation as the KKK gathered outside was moving. The church is just down the hill from the Alabama capital steps where Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president of the Confederacy and George Wallace gave his "segregation forever" speech. We toured on a snowy day when most of Montgomery was shut down. We were glad that we were allowed to join a tour in progress. The cost of the tour now seems insignificant to the experience gained. Our tour guide was great. It is an operating church and I hope it remains so to honor Martin Luther King and those who gave so much in the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

Wanda was great! So knowledgeable and friendly. This was my second time doing the tour. I still learned so much about the church, the community, and Rev. Dr. King. Highly recommend..

I have to admit when I signed up to attend this field trip with my daughter I was not expecting to be so moved. Wanda was a wonderful guide and a beautiful person. She really moved me to "answer the call" and I hope the young ears took some of her words to heart as well. I highly recommend this tour. We are all one race... the human race.

Standing behind Dr. King's desk in his office and in his pulpit in the church was an amazing touch with history. Our visit brought home the realization that he was a man, not just an historic icon, who changed history. Ms. Wanda, our guide, was warm, wonderful, and inspiring!

On a cold day when 2" of snow had shut down the city of Montgomery, my husband and I ventured out on foot on the icy sidewalks and were surprised and delighted to find the church open, and a tour in progress that we we welcomed to join. Our tour guide was enthusiastic, well-informed, inclusive, and provided us with background and a close-up look at the sanctuary, pulpit, and minister's study, and we viewed a short film as well. Just being in that place was a moving experience, and when we joined hands with the guide and the others in our small tour group to sing "We Shall Overcome" in the place where MLKing preached, it was really special. The other staff we met we equally welcoming, engaging, and devoted to telling the church's story. We toured sites in Alabama and Mississippi related to the civil rights movement-- this is one not to miss!

I went to this church during a civil rights trip I took as a class to Montgomory. Our tour guide, Wanda Battle (Legendary Tours,) was amazing, passionate, and extremely knowledged on the churches history.

The church itself is a must-visit if you're in Montgomery. It being the first and only church that Martin Luther King Jr. pastured at was and is a key part of civil rights history. It's an active

It’s still closed due to Covid but if you contact a private tour company you may be able to get in. We got lucky I would definitely recommend trying to arrange a visit

We didn't take a tour because we were there on Good Friday but still glad we stopped by to see it. Overall, the whole area around the church is absolutely beautiful to walk around. All very nicely kept & preserved!

We’ve been to many museums and I don’t remember another where we were greeted with such love, acceptance, and hugs. The ladies who work here are continuing Dr. King’s work and spreading his message! We learned so much and it was amazing to be in the only church where Dr. King was the preacher.

The tour guide director was incredible. She provided us with a loving, uplifting and educational experience. How many tourscan you say that about?

Arrive on the hour to tour this memorable church, a beacon of religious and civil rights leadership in Montgomery. Dr Vernon John and Dr King are the two best known pastors of this storied institution. It was here that the Montgomery Improvement Association, which led the bus boycott in 1955, was organized. The docents who lead the tours are icons of love, faith and civil rights history themselves.

The friendliest hosts you will ever meet. An interesting visit and I am glad I went. Would recommend a visit if you are in Montgomery

The movie is informative, the mural is amazing, the tour guide is energetic, the church is simple but inspired, and the story is complicated but important.

We brought our 2 children (ages 7 & 12) here to Montgomery from NY to get a feel for the rich history of our nation that is so pertinent in Montgomery, AL. We had not planned on a visit to the church but it wound up being one of the most important and profound experiences of our Civil Rights road trip. Wanda, our guide is an amazing woman, so full of knowledge and she delivers it all in the most loving terms. We had a complete tour of MLK jrs office, the pulpit he would give sermons from and the church he Pastored in for several years as he fought for desegregation. Our children have not been taught the issues leading to Civil Rights injustices and were given an amazing education here at Dexter Church. Simply should not miss this on your stop in Montgomery.

You get to stand in the church that Martin Luther King Jr led for 6 years.... We got to see his office still as it was 50 years ago!

The site where Rev MLK preached. Montgomery has some real sites of historical significance. ..civil was and civil rights movements.
We didn't go in this site bit ot forms part of an easy.to walk historical sights trail

We received such a warm welcome & firstly watched a short film about the church & Dr Martin Luther King.
We then had a really interesting tour of the church & learnt about its part in recent history.
Our guide WANDA was PHENOMENAL & everyone in the group left filled with the joy she was only too happy to share 👏👏
Thank you.👍🏻

My family and I stopped by Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL to take a picture outside of it. There are parking meters on the street to park but we just walked from the First White House of the Confederacy to the Alabama State Capitol then to Dexter Avenue Church. All of these sites are in a very close proximity.

Martin Luther King Jr. helped plan the Montgomery Bus Boycott from his basement office... Wow. This is a must see if you have the time.

We had Wanda as a tour guide and she did an amazing job! We watched the short movie and then went through the tour with Wanda. Simply amazing and you realize what a true blessing this Church is. Still have regular Sunday School and Church. Well worth the $ it was to see. We enjoyed it!

While I did not make my way inside, I was grateful to have paid homage to Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, which is a place that marks Martin Luther King, Jr.'s beginnings as a preacher in the South. The little church is an imposing force literal steps from the capitol building -- and standing as a symbol of justice in the face of a place that still glorifies the confederacy.

Awesome — due primarily to the excellent tour guide who brought history alive with great spirit. This stop exceeded my expectations!

The church were Rev Martin L. King preach since he was 23-24 years old and where civil rights meetings were hold. Bery impressive. The ladies that volunteer there are so sweet, very southern hospitality and they received you with a hug. The young gentleman gave the tour of the Reverend's office and the church with the history. I was impressed and so humble to be able to be on such a historic place. A mustvisit in Montgomery, AL.

Wanda and Glencile are beautiful, knowledgeable, and passionate guides for this tour, and for life. They both exude the fire and forthright of Dr. King’s message. It was not only profound to visit the only church Martin Luther King, Jr. pastored, and to stand behind his pulpit, but to walk through this history through the eyes and experience of these two Alabama ladies just added to the gift of this day. Thank you thank you thank you, for being you.

A visit here is essential to understanding Southern culture and the Civil Rights movement. Take time to attend a Sunday service and you'll see the importance of church in the African American community. To sit in a pew of Dr. King's church, and to envision him delivering a sermon, was a truly moving experience.

While in Montgomery, take the time to pass by this church. Nestled a couple of blocks from the capitol, it stands its ground as a reminder of the times of turmoil and hardship of the fifties and sixties.

It was wonderful to stand at the top of the stairs in front of the church where Dr. King was Pastor from 1954-1960. Montgomery bus boycott was organized within these walls.

A very informative and interesting tour exploring the history of the church and its most famous pastor, Dr. Martin Luther King.

We enjoyed to visit that church where MLK was pastor few years when he and his family lived in Montgomery. Black guider was good job to tell us story of MLK. No boring!

I had a small group of 10 students and our experience here was amazing! Wanda was our tour guide and she was so enthusiastic and got everyone participating and singing and really made us feel welcome there. Her personal experiences and love of sharing what MLK jr was about really made a hit with our students. Visit here as part of a real civil rights experience!

This is a nice church to see with all the history that goes with it ... the lady who took us on the tour has been attending the the church for years. She had many personal stories. They have a nice film to watch also.

The person responsible for the tour was Mrs.Battle. She made the experience more meaningful because of her knowledge and warmth. She took time to share the history of Dr. King's involvement with the church in the context of the civil rights activities in Montgomery at the time.

This Church is a landmark, so much history mostly notably of the Civil Rights movement. I walked in a. It early for the 1 pm tour and two ladies immediately came up and gave me hugs! They were just so sweet and welcoming. They showed me Mr. Kin's Pastor office, still used today but set up to look as it did when he was Pastor. They had a video to watch, a gift shop too. There is a mural on the wall in the basement, and lucky enough the artist showed up randomly, the man is in hisb 90's and is a member of the church and was a member under Mr. King! The second guide lady showed me upstairs and when she realized I was military just gave me a really long very tight emotional hug. If not for the history and or architecture, go for the people, they were amazing! The ticket price was $7.50 for 1 adult.

What a wonderful tour of a truly historic church. The staff was totally knowledgeable and provide great insights. A great video and an even greater tour. Does miss it.

The rich history of this church is something that no one visiting Montgomery should ever miss!! That history starts long before Dr. King but is is refreshing to learn of the impact that he had on this church. Our tour guide was phenomenal!!! She is so knowledgeable and gets the visitors to interact in the tour!! My 13 year old will never forget this!!

Unfortunately it was closed when we arrived. However, we took some good photos and was able to walk around outside reading the information, in peace.

I have never felt so ashamed in my whole life. being here and listening to what happen to people like me in a period of time so close to me… it was devastating.
That's why I believe it’s a moral duty for each of us to go to Selma and Montgomery and listen and visit all the places that are part of the Civil Rights Trail.
This place is very important as all the others on the trail. The people who will take you for the tour are people who know what they are talking about and you feel an immediate empathy. Above all when you meet such a special person like Wanda. That day I felt being part of a community again, of an human community. I met a family from Florida, a young woman from Luxembourg and we spent more than an hour together.
The tour lasts 45 minutes and it is every hour, except Sundays. However, if it happens you will be there on Sunday, just ask to attend the religious function. I am not a religious person, but I felt something true inside that church.

I wanted to go in but they weren't doing tours since the pandemic. I still drove by many times and stopped to take pictures. Hopefully, when I go back they will be allowing tours.

We were greeted with a hug and loved every minute of our tour with Wanda. I am so glad we took the time to visit.

The tour is $7.50 each, which included a woman talking to us as if we were fifth graders, but I think that's because they pushed us into a group with fifth graders! I considered the entrance fee a donation, since there wasn't much to see, but we were glad to have stopped by.

There just isn't that much to see in a church -- you go in and sit and absorb. It's not super-organized, or flashy, or fancy. However, the tour guides make the visit so much more meaningful that it would have been to just walk in and sit for five minutes. Somehow they manage to make the tour itself turn into a momentary beloved community. It felt like a living history, an actual experience of what it's all about. Went with my tired, hungry, 12-year old daughter, and she left singing, smiling, and on her top tier of things we did on our trip. It was truly joyous. So, so glad we stopped in.

Wanda, the wonderful guide, gives an inspirational tour of the church where Martin Luther King was a peacher during the civil rights struggle. This is still a living church and the organist is the same woman appointed by King, albeit now in her 80s. I found this a very welcoming and uplifting experience and would recommend it to all visiting Montgomery.

Very nice ,I have know this place since I was a little child and it was so good to share it with my children and to show them where Dr King preached at here in our city Montgomery, Alabama!

A must see if you are doing the civil rights trail or wanting to see real historical places. The church where MLK pastored. The guides here make the story come to life. They are passionate about sharing the story. Small museum in basement.

A must see in Montgomery if you are at all interested in the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the church and was very passionate about making sure we got the most out of our visit. Make sure to visit Dr. King's office in the basement.

We had an excellent and inspiring tour through this very important landmark of the Civil Rights movement and struggle. Our guide really made history come alive for us.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was pastor at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church from 1954 to 1960. It was during those years that MLK organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott as the first president of the Montgomery Improvement Association and became an internationally famous and revered speak and civil rights leader. It's an amazing building to tour and experience. My tour guide, Wanda, was enthusiastic and clearly in love with giving visitors to Montgomery a tour of this historic church. I will say that as a non-Christian, ending the tour holding hands, a short prayer, and hugging the persons next to you was unexpected and a little foreign to me, but it didn't seem inappropriate to the place itself. It was interesting to see the church and MLK's office (still used by the current pastor of the church before Sunday services). An inspiring, historic, and important place to visit!

The reverend Dr. Martin Luther King was minister here from 1954 to 1960. Two years after his arrival he helped lead the Montgomery bus strike initiated by Rosa parks. Today a small congregation gathers to worship. The younger generation has begun using social media to spread the word that this is not a museum, but a congregation that still serves the community. This is a must see stop in the city that was the spearhead for the civil rights movement.

What could anyone say? I stood where Martin Luther King, Jr. stood so many times. I was on hallowed ground. I could almost hear his voice.

We had a wonderful, informative tour by Wanda, our guide, who gave us a sense of the great work of Dr. King. In the basement of the church we sat in the office occupied by Dr. King when he was a young pastor of this church. We stood at the pulpit that he used to preach. The church has so much history of the civil rights movement. We felt privileged to be there especially in light of the current political situation in this country.

I remember segregation and church bombings and fire hoses and dogs and marches.
What hit me today while visiting Montgomery is that Dr. ML King was not the leader of civil rights movement just because he was smart or educated or charismatic. When you stand at his church front porch on Dexter Ave you look right and see the state capital, look left to the Alabama Supreme Court; go out back and look up the hill and see the Capital of the Confederacy. It hit me that God Almighty chose that time and that man.

While you can visit on your won it is well worth taking a guided tour to learn the details you would miss on your own.

This tour is amazing and would agree with the other reviews. On our tour we had a visiting pastor, a couple from Georgia and ourselves. Wanda is amazing, warm and friendly and very welcoming. She pointed out that people should not be judged by the colour of their skin but what they are,like as human beings - an extremely valid point.

You don’t have to be religious to find the experience uplifting. We got to form a circle in the church and sang “We shall overcome”.

In the basement there is a mural portraying Dr. King’s life and we also saw his office.

We would highly recommend this tour.

Did a self tour and spoke to the person there- did not have time for the complete tour (also note the complete tour was $6.50 pp). While I recommend visiting because of the importance of the site, there really is not much to see.

Though we wished we could have been there on a tour date we were satisfied with the opportunity to even stand at the entrance.

Had an opportunity to visit the King Memorial Church. I'm glad I did! The church has the original feel of the early 60's and it's almost as if Dr. King is still there. The pulpit, pews and memorabilia are awe inspiring. Even his office is in good condition. A must see if you visit Montgomery!

I was in town on a Sunday so there were no tours, and I arrived in the afternoon so missed a service. That said, there was free parking just outside the church - which allowed a walk to the Statehouse and other historical spots in the area. I read the marker and took some pictures, but really wanted to experience all the tour offered. This is the spot where the Montgomery Bus Boycott was organized and where the Reverend Dr. King catapulted to national notoriety.

I’m still emotional over this visit. Had the opportunity to meet Mrs.Thomas the musician that played for Dr.Martin L King. I cried during her performance of amazing graces.. can feel the spirit. Got free hugs when you entered. Loved it.

If you are in the area would recommend attending church service. The congregation is very welcoming and it’s quite an experience where so much history exists.

This is an amazing church filled with history and lots of interesting things to see. If you have a chance to visit please do you will not regret it. I hope everyone can visit and learn a little about this church and the history behind it.

This was a very interesting visit to the church where Martin Luther king went

Great place for a great man

Myself and my wife stopped by this church and took some pictures and walked around this history place..... wow

In the last minute we catch ed the last tour of the day which started at 1 pm. Sister who gave the tour was very friendly and kind. Tour consisted martin Luther King's study. I learnt a lot of stuff.

We enjoyed the brief video and wonderful tour of the Dexter Ave. King Memorial Baptist church. Many important events in civil rights history have roots in this church. History lives here. A beautiful mural in the church basement details important civil rights events in the history of this church and in Montgomery.

Even though you only see 3 rooms, it is a wealth of information.

7.50 for adults 12 and up
2.50 for kids 6 to 11

I love the fact that this church sits in the shadows of the Alabama Statehouse and serves as a constant reminder of the injustices bestowed upon African Americans by Alabama’s legislature. This is one monument that they certainly can’t ignore.

Our group's tour guide was Miss Wanda Howard Battle and she was incredible. She loves to have fun, to sing, and put visitors in a place to consider what's in their hearts and minds. One of the two best tour guides I've experienced.

We were visiting some relatives and decided to take a tour. The price was great, the staff is amazingly sweet. Treat you like family from the time you walk in the door...and then there is Ms. Wanda!! She is totally the BEST! She gets you participating, she is joyful & extremely knowledgeable

We attended a Sunday morning service at the church, to both worship and to pay our respect and to acknowledge Dr King and the Civil Rights Movement. We were warmly welcomed by members of the congregation. Surprisingly the church was not as full as I had expected. It was Valentine's weekend and the preaching. (I know it as the homily) was appropriately about God's love. It was also Black History month and we felt privileged to be at a service in this place, at this time.

This tour of the King Memorial Baptist church was inspiring. Led by Wanda, who was full of love and enthusiasm, as well as information. It was awesome to stand at the podium that MLK Jr had used to speak at the end of the Selma to Montgomery march, and to see his office and feel the history of the place. Singing with Wanda topped off a great visit.

We were met by Wanda who was to be our tour guide, outside the church. She began by inviting us to sing with her, which I must admit, took us by surprise. Little did we know that Wanda would be such an inspirational tour guide who was so knowledgable and was able to tell us so much about the life and work of Martin Luther King.
To be able to sit in the office used by Martin Luther King and to stand at the podium that he used, was an experience that we will never forget.
Wanda was a wonderful guide, she spoke with passion and commitment. We were all moved by her love and by her energy. We would like to thank Wanda and stress how her words will stay with us for ever.

A wonderful welcome with lots of hugs and beautiful smiles - be prepared! First you see a video narrated by Julian Bond. It shows not only the challenges of being black in the South but also is uplifting in showing the vitality of the black community in the days of segregation, with the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church as an example. The video was followed by a tour led by the ebullient Wanda, who was as inspirational as she was informative. It is clear she loves meeting the guests and giving the tours. The tour is not just hearing history, Wanda invites/expects participation, such as standing at a lectern that Reverend King used and speaking his words. To her credit and the credit of the church, it is clear that religion and faith were part of the fabric of the black community then and now. You do not forget that you are in a church and that the church and that church leaders were leaders in the fight for civil rights in Montgomery, a cradle of the movement. This tour is one you could take over again - not that you would learn more, but because it would ground you in the meaning of the Civil Rights movement, as envisioned and led by Reverend King.

Wanda, tour director, lead us on a tour of this historic church, sharing stories of MLK’s important work on voting in the south. Her tour was informative and touching.

Loved the visit as did my two teens. Left us inspired to be better human beings. Learned a ton (and this is after visiting many state capitols and museums in the south. A must stop! $7.50 per adult. Less for children.

I didn't know about this place until I visited it with my son's elementary class; the history we learned from the guide was amazing; it was very touching and powerful; it is close to the capital and doesn't take long, so I do recommend making it a part of your day; you do "listen" a lot in the same location, so for little ones bring something for them to do

The Dexter Avenue Church is a huge historical landmark as it is where MLK preached, the Selma marches were planned as well as the Montgomery bus boycott. Everyone should see this site.

You can take a tour of the church, which is small but lasts over 90 minutes. The option of taking a self guided tour was not open to us when we visited. The tour itself is more about the people taking the tour then the history. Our tour guide had us go around the group and talk about ourselves. You could see the abject terror on people's faces as they were asked to talk about themselves. I have to say that the tour is a bit of a waste of time but the site is still a must see.

After a tour of the State Capitol nearby, we came hear for the tour. I thought the tour price wad a bit high, especially since they restrict your picture taking (you must be in the picture???)
The film was good and a few artifacts of MLK were interesting. The mural was beautiful and had a lot of history. The tour guide explained the mural to us.

we went on the tour by ourselves probably would get more out of it on a guided tour. you can take as long as you want. you visit both the lower level and the worship center of the the church. you can see the capital building from one of the lower level windows.

Wonderful visit , very informative and our tour guide Glendale was amazing. We were there about 30 minutes and I loved that we ended the tour with a song and prayer. A must visit if you are taking the Civil Rights Trail.

Wow what a great place to go back in time a bit and see what some amazing people have done. Great place to learn something new- excellent staff/service and sharing their knowledge.

If your downtown touring Montgomery and taking in the history the. Please don’t miss this stop. They have guided tour at the top of the hours. MLKs history is embedded in this simple red brick building. Do not miss this.

I was in Montgomery briefly for work, so I didn’t have much time to do anything but I saw there was many historical sites to do with the Civil rights movement because Selma is so close. It’s important to remember that the beautiful downtown fountain was once the hub of the slave trade in the US. I wasn’t able to see the inside because of the lack of time but I was able to read the historical plaque posted outside. Martin Luther King Jr. was a pastor in the church and that is where he organized the Montgomery bus boycott.

The tour starts with a short, informative video. The wonderful Wanda Battle then gave us a tour of the church. We came here on the recommendation of Rebecca Front in a Sunday Times article. She wrote that Wanda is not only one of the finest tour guides you could wish for but also simply a radiant person. I don't think I could put it better. Thank you Rebecca for the article and thank you Wanda for more than living up to your recommendation. We went from the church to the tour of the parsonage and the equally inspirationlal Shirley Cherry.

We made a special trip to find this church when exploring Montgomery on foot on a blisteringly hot day. A lovely lady came out to greet us with a big hug, and we were invited in to take a look around. So pleased that we were able to find this church - we were made so welcome and the visit here will stay with me forever.

To be able to walk around and sit down in a place where Dr. Martin Luther King spoke, sat, stood, etc. was just the most incredible feeling. I can't even put into words the impact this man had/still has on me and so many others. I am so grateful that this church allows tourists in; our tour guide was fantastic; so pleasant/friendly. The group was interactive. I would recommend this tour to any and everyone who looks up to and appreciates this great man of God who was instrumental in bringing to the forefront, an ugly part of our history; of taking a stand for what is right; of highlighting the equal footing we should all have access to in this country... We are one race - human!

Wanda led our tour and was absolutely amazing. You could not find a kinder, more passionate individual to educate guests about Dr. King and the civil rights movement. Her energy is contagious and I highly recommend paying a visit to the church for a tour should you ever be in the Montgomery area.

This is a must see if your are visiting Montgomery sites. It has history and great story no matter what you have read in the papers or other media.

I truly enjoyed the experience from my first encounter being a hug welcoming me into the church to a warm sending off and singing This Little Light of Mine. Jay was an excellent tour guide. He was well versed in the history of the Dexter Church and the history of the civil rights era. He answered questions well and encouraged them. Seeing Dr. King’s office was interesting and I would recommend it!

My wife and I have toured so many churches in North America and Europe that we have lost count. What I can say with certainty is that the tour we had today of this historic church was the best church tour ever!! Our guide, Wanda, was so interesting, and so full of warmth and enthusiasm, that our diverse group quickly felt like we were part of her family (or at least wanted to be part of her family). Martin Luther King's time here as pastor was the seminal event of his amazing life and ministry. It all started here for him, in a church just steps away from the Alabama State Capital which was then, and maybe still is, the beating heart of reactionary racism in America. One cannot be anything but profoundly moved by this tour. I highly recommend it!

Helpful hint #1: first stop at the Montgomery Visitor Center downtown in the train station. Ask for the Civil Rights walking tour map AND a free parking pass for a spot on Dexter Ave just below the State Capital building. You will be just steps way from the church. Hint 2: there is a cafeteria in the Department of Commerce office building just uphill to the left of the church...inexpensive but good food.

We really enjoyed this stop. It was awe-inspiring to be in a place that was so central to the civil rights movement and particularly to the life of MLK. The staff was so friendly, helpful, and kind. We had traveled out from Idaho, and they made us feel right at home. I would go back in a heartbeat and would absolutely recommend it to any potential visitors.

We were touring the outside, as we didn't have time for a tour, and then this sweet lady opened the door and said she could give us a quick tour. But first she gave my daughter and I hugs and was just precious. Just to stand in Dr. MLK, Jrs. office gave us chills. So thankful for the wonderful lady that allowed us to come in for a few minutes. If you are in Montgomery I suggest making time for this tour, we will when we come back.

It's difficult to find the words about what makes this so special. I imagine that we will still be talking about Ms. Wanda Battle and her educational tour for a very long time. There is something so transformative about being in her presence, hearing her speak of Dr. King, the history of this Church and the Civil Rights Movement. But the impact of her enormous gift in bringing together a group of strangers and helping them feel the true power of Dr. King's legacy is why you will leave changed and uplifted. Standing in Dr. King's office, next to his pulpit and then upstairs in the place where he preached, there is a renewed understanding that this is not only history but today, tomorrow and how we decide to live our lives. Thank you, Ms. Wanda, for sharing your joy, laughter, and reminding us of the power of hope and brotherhood. We hope to see you again soon.

My husband and I have spent the last week on the Civil Rights Trail from Atlanta to Birmingham, to Selma, to White Hall/Lowndes County, and finally Montgomery. It was a sad trail of slavery, racism, bigotry, imprisonment, and the gradual and still incomplete progress towards equality. Our final stop was a tour of this church with the amazing Wanda Battle who brought the history alive with enthusiasm and love. It was a great and uplifting conclusion to our exploration of the Civil Rights Trail. Don't miss it.

Wonderful tour of this church giving the history of the place and Martin Luther King Jr's time there. Wanda is an incredible tour guide who feels showing people around is God's mission for her, and she really shows it! She is sweet and full of energy, and an attraction in her own right. Highly recommended. Fee is around $7.50 per person.

We spent over an hour in the church looking at a video presentation by Wanda Battle. We especially enjoyed Dr. King's office. The sanctuary is in beautiful condition!

This is where Martin Luther King, Jr. came to preach after the initial march from Salem to Montgomery was stopped by state and local officials, causing injuries to numerous individuals and generating national attention. It's a beautiful church, well worth a few minutes of your time.

Not a lot to see -- some art, photography & some artifacts in a street-level room...& then the sanctuary upstairs -- but a wonderful hour-long tour with our very spirited & personal tour guide who told many stories about the Church, MLK, & others associated with the church's history.

My husband, daughter and I visited the Dexter Ave. King Memorial Baptist Church and it was one of the best tours of an historic site that we have ever been on. We had a small group that represented different ethnic groups and different parts of the country and our guide took us through the church and made us think and discuss events and how we felt about them as we went along. It was very eye opening for a white, middle class, middle-aged person from the north. I recommend that anyone visiting Montgomery take this in.

I thoroughly agree with the previous review of Carole v. Wanda was an exceptional tour guide at a very special location. I can only add that seeing how close the church is to the state capitol - location of Wallace's infamous 1963 speech and the inauguration of Jefferson Davis-was moving as well. Dr. King, his congregation and the blacks of Montgomery were very brave to stand up to power for 382 days during the bus boycott and at many other times. Go here if you are in Montgomery.

Was a great place to visit with our family and all of the people we met there were extremely friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend

Wanda was the best tour guide ever! She was a living embodiment of God's love. She was so kind and welcoming throughout the entire tour. She had a wonderful sense of humor and extensive knowledge of the history of the church and MLK. If you live in The Gump and haven't been, plan a trip. Every informed citizen should come through on this tour. You will be better for it.

This is a very moving experience if you are a fan of Dr. King's. Not only do you see the pulpit he preached from, but his office, the desk he wrote his sermons on, and his church. She has such a bright, positive avenue that you cannot leave there without feeling lighter and uplifted. Her personal touch is what makes the visit.

We were pleased to find out that our hotel was not too far from this site. Our tour guide was wonderful. So much history! Steps outside and inside church. No elevator. I would recommend this tour for everyone

We came down from Chicago to specifically visit the new Legacy Museum and Peace and Justice Memorial but of course couldn’t go home not visiting the Dexter Ave King Baptist Church. As others have written, Wanda is the most wonderful guide and amazing woman. We are not very religious but this Church gives one such a peaceful feeling and the sprit of Dr King lives there. Wonderful experience. And again, thank you Wanda

Highly recommend this as a must see stop if you are visiting Montgomery! Brenda and Wanda were both very welcoming. Very informative tour and an incredible experience of being present where history was made. The tour takes about 90 minutes and is so well worth it!

It is here where Dr. King first preached and where the early meetings for what will become the Civil Rights Movement started. It is a modest church, but where the movement for nonviolent peace and justice began here. Historically relevant.. Admission $7.50

There is history here, sure. That's why we come. And we are told about it. But there the future here, too; there is love for others, excitement, and welcome here now, and that can affect the future. We were greeted by one person and led on tour by another, and both are exemplary people and Christians.

The moment we opened the door, we were welcomed by the warmth and joy of the two guides. Learning about the history of the church and then going upstairs to where Dr. King preached was a spiritual experience.

To begin, Ms. Wanda Battle is the warmest & most knowledgeable docent in the South! The tour begins in the lower church with an orientation to Dr. King's time as pastor and includes a visit to his office where the walls are lined with wonderful photos. From there we were invited to stand at the podium that was used by Dr. King when he addressed the huge crowd at the end of the Selma-Montgomery march in front of the state house. It was a moving experience to be able to place my hands into the well-worn grooves of the podium top. From there we visited the sanctuary above where Ms. Wanda provided more history and answered questions. As I had also planned to visit the parsonage it was necessary to leave but I could have remained long past the hour.
Details: you must register online for the tour in advance, there is metered parking right out front and all along the adjacent streets, there is an option to also purchase a combination tour with the parsonage, I did both. The parsonage is about a 5 minute drive away & has a free parking lot.

As an Alabamian, I visited with a guest, a native of Africa attending college in the U.S. Miss Wanda, our guide, greeted us as old friends and gave my African friend an especially warm welcome. What is special about this site is that it acknowledges and celebrates the faith ties of Dr. King and the civil rights movement. – it started here in the churches! Some Civil Rights sites, in an effort to not offend, omit the faith-based aspect of this movement and in doing so miss much of the story and history. Not here. You will be given a warm and loving welcome and maybe even hear a rendition of "This Little Light of Mine..."

A wonderfully welcoming presentation to the church, its community, and the churches connection to MLK.Jr, the Montgomery bus boycott and the movement. If you love a high energy presentation with music from the movement, you will enjoy visiting.

This was perhaps the standout of our time in Montgomery. We came expecting either a self guided tour or a typical tour but from the moment we arrived we were hugged welcomed and made to feel we were doing something really special. The story was told in an interactive way and the group was made to feel inclusive and specially welcome. The church still has much from the Martin Luther era and he certainly came alive during the singing and story telling. Don’t miss this experience.

The ladies of this revered church have taken it upon themselves to give the tours and continue telling the story of this church in which MLK was pastor for 6 years. The tours can be sporadic even though their hours are listed outside the lower door. But, the enthusiasm and love conveyed by our guide was awe-inspiring. It was a message of love and hope and adoration for all humanity. It is truly an uplifting experience. GO!

Our visit to the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church was amazing. The only tour that begins and ends with a hug sprinkled with singing and a prayer. Ms. Wanda made the whole experience even better with her stories and spirit!

I visited the church on April 6th and we were a little early for the 11am tour. Not sure of where to wait, or buy tickets, we went in the front door--not realizing there is really no foyer and pretty much stepped right into the tour before ours. We stayed in the back as not to disrupt and heard the entire presentation at the mural on that level. Well, the tour moved up into the church and we were invited to join for the last part. After it ended, we went back to the entrance to buy the tickets and see the part we missed. This is absolutely a must stop if you only have a limited time and are at all interested in the Civil Rights movement and the history of that particular church. Our guide was so warm, welcoming, and passionate in her presentation that you almost felt like you just attended service. (And I don't currently practice any particular religion.) The whole tour was just under an hour and about two blocks easy walk from the capitol.

Stopped at this church with my 18 year old son and 88 year old father. We were welcomed to the church by a wonderful, knowledgeable woman named Wanda. We throughly enjoyed our visit and all left after a hug from Wanda. Well worth a visit!

We were on a field trip from Chicago. This wss our last visit and wrre simply going to take pictures outside. The door opened and a woman asked us to keep it down because their was a tour on session. She allowes us to enter and we could immediately feel the warmth. We took pictures then were taken to the basement where we saw Dr. King's office, his robe behind the door and his leather chair tucked next to his desk! The tour guide was energetic, informative, and friendly! This was a great way for us to end our trip!

There are a lot of attractions in this world, but only a small subset deserve the adjective "inspiring." This is one.

Dexter Avenue Baptist Church (they added "King Memorial" to the name a few years ago) is an active church of around 100 members. Largely staffed by church volunteers, their organization offer tours of both the church itself and the parsonage a few blocks away. Both tours are outstanding.

The church tour includes quite a bit of history about Dexter Avenue's former pastors and the church itself. It was quite interesting to learn of the extensive conflicts that surrounded Rev. King's predecessor - who also advocated for justice but with far less tact than Rev. King. The tour includes a visit to the sanctuary where Rev. King preached and to his office. Our tour leader, Aviva, exuded knowledge and passion.

Two members of our family visited the church on Sunday morning for the weekly service, and we found the congregation to be extremely welcoming and friendly.

Didn't have an opportunity to go inside the church but just standing outside and knowing about its history was a good feeling

The tour guide was excellent. Nothing better than learning a little more about the Civil Rights Movement and the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This is totally worth it, but be sure to call ahead and verify tour times. It is also very close to other landmarks in downtown Montgomery. Costs about $8/person. You should plan to be there for about an hour.

Just down the street from the capital building. This church must have had some amazing sermons. If only the wall could talk. unfortunately they were not open when we stopped by but it was great to see the site of such a great movement.

Wow. What a truly amazing spiritual place this is.
Wanda was our guide. She is a wonderful inspiring person who moved me to tears. I have never felt so close to something so special. I will always remember our time here. I cannot express how fulfilling I found it here. Montgomery is a wonderful place. The people are warm and welcoming.
To walk in the footsteps of Dr King was truly inspiring.

The tour is worth every penny and more. Keep up the good work Wanda.

Brought a group to visit several historical sites. THIS IS A MUST DO. The staff provided so much information. To stand behind the podium where Dr. King stood, was touching. I will be back with more young people.

I did not take the tour only spent a few minutes outside the church but it struck me how small it was. Just very humbling to think that great men and women stood in the place and were inspired to make sacrifices for what was right

This is a small church with a big history. Dr. Martin Luther King was the pastor when the bus boycott was carried out. He went on to become the well known civil rights leader of the 60s but this is where he got his start. I had goose bumps just thinking about how I was walking in the same places he and all the early activists walked. There is a lovely mural on the wall in the basement that depicts King's time at the Dexter Avenue church. Our guide, Wanda, was the most delightful and ebullient person we've ever met. Her enthusiasm made the visit so much more real. This is as close to the civil rights movement as you can get.

My family and I visited Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church on a field trip. The guide did an excellent job of explaining the history of the church and Martin Luther King Jr.’s life to the children while keeping it age appropriate. I wish I could remember our guide’s name but I do remember that she was originally from Beatrice, Alabama.
I enjoyed seeing the church where Dr. King preached. The mural on the first floor is beautiful and the stories our guide told were so interesting. I would highly recommend this experience for children eight and up and for all adults.

As I was preparing to write my review of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, I saw a number of reviews praising the tour guide. I know exactly what they meant. The building itself is not remarkable, but the interaction with the human being there and the stories they told infused the experience.

It was like visiting a newly found family member and having them open their house to you and tell you family stories from the past. Not only was the tour guide warm and engaging, but there was an expected visit from choir members. When I say unexpected - I mean both for us the tour participants AND them the choir members. When the choir members entered the sanctuary for choir practice during our tour, the tour guide asked both the mother and then the children to sing a few impromptu bars from gospel spirituals.

I never usually think that a tour guide adds much to a tour. But the Dexter family made an incredible difference in making this a memorable tour.

Our guide was amazing and quite knowledgeable. He knew everything and with intimate details. The church was amazing! Thank you for allowing us to visit and see everything. It will stay with me. I love that we were able to see his office and other unchanged things.

What an incredible, exciting place. Our tour guide, Wanda, was just amazing in every way - kind, funny and informative - and we were so moved by our visit here. We loved getting to know Dr. King's history with regards to this church and rooms like his office are kept perfectly preserved. Again, we love Wanda! She was so great to my 9 year old daughter too...

Welll worth a visit. Wanda, our tour guide, was exceptional and moved us to tears with her stories and her passion.

We are so glad this church is still in operation. We didn't get to attend a service, but absolutely would have loved to. It is well maintained.

Without the wonderful staff that welcomed our group to the Church, it would have been just another bland tour. The musicians played and sang some of the songs that were sung by slaves and later during the Civil Rights Movement. There were two women who greeted us with such love and outgoing charm that we were anxious to hear them share the history of the Church with us and they even managed to get us to sing along with them when they share their wonderful music.

Besides sitting in the original sanctuary pews from the 1800s and hearing about the church, another highlight of the (required) tour is a long and very realistic historical mural downstairs. Our guide described every part of it. Two rooms downstairs, including Dr. King's office, have been renovated and (as of October 2023) are awaiting approval from the historical commission that oversees everything done to this historic building.

One member of the tour asked how the church is supported financially. Our guide said that much of the funding comes from visitors. The congregation is aging -- many members in their 90s and passing away -- and there aren't many young people. So I hope you can take this tour, as well as the excellent parsonage tour.

(Church tours are arranged through the Interpretive Center, near the parsonage on Jackson Street.)

We had the opportunity to visit this church. We were especially blessed by meeting Wanda who showed us around the church.

A beautiful church in such an ironic location: just a couple of blocks from the imposing Capitol Building, where Jefferson Davis once gave his inaugural speech from the building’s massive steps.

A warm, welcoming church. At 16, I slipped down this stairs 😂 in the rain, and the church members ran out to see if I was okay. Physically, yes; mentally: total embarrassment.

A Must-See for anyone making a trip to Montgomery.

Was taking a picture of the church outside and through the lens I saw someone waving for me to come in. So my husband and I went in and they offered us a tour for $7.50 per person. It was a wonderful tour given by Wanda Battle. Got to go in Dr. King's office, stand behind the lecturn, went up into the church. Wanda did a great job giving the history and details associated with the church. It was quite an experience and glad I went in.

One of the Best Tours in Montgomery! Wanda, the tour guide, is awesome! She is very knowledgeable and keeps the tour upbeat and interesting. You will leave inspired and blessed!

Wanda is, as others have said, an amazing passionate guide. She’s unashamedly passionate about her faith and you find your own faith bolstered by her powerful storytelling.

It’s also thought provoking to visit the church where Martin Luther King was Minister

The relatively short six blocks that make up Dexter Avenue in Montgomery, Alabama contain more history in the U.S. than many entire towns. Bookended by Court Square Fountain (an auction site of enslaved Africans) and the imposing Alabama Capitol building (where Jefferson Davis was inaugurated and the Selma March ended) it also contains the Winter Building (where a telegraph sent to Fort Sumter started our country’s most devastating conflict) and, well, the century-old Chris’ Famous Hotdogs (which has fed three Presidents and every Alabama Governor). Among these landmarks lies the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. Completed in 1889, it was here that its most famous pastor organized the bus boycott of 1955 and rose to national prominence.

I made two visits here during my three days in Montgomery. The first was for a formal tour immediately after finishing the same at the Parsonage. My tour guide was nice enough to give me a ride (!) to the church and our small group started with the didactics on the ground floor. An early history of the building was covered, followed by an explanation of the ground floor Civil Rights mural. We then entered the sanctuary, and a more recent history of the church followed with descriptions of the pulpit and windows mixed in. I made a second visit for Sunday services on my last day in Montgomery, attending a formal 10:30 worship service that lasted almost two hours and was given by a very energetic guest pastor, Rev. Chauncey Ballard.

Taken as a whole (tour + service) this experience was the highlight of my three days in the town. The historical description by my guide (Elizabeth Monroe) was excellent and focused on many aspects not concerning Dr. King, including the pastorship of Vernon Johns. It also showed the importance of community in any activity, especially that of initiating a national civil rights movement. The building was very much the star here, and a verbal recitation of its accolades by a local resident was fitting. And the service? Whew! As a life-long cultural Catholic my first Baptist experience was equally random, passionate, and welcoming.

Combining the two experiences as above is the way to go. Highly recommended and enjoyable.

I just sat outside and admired the beautiful architecture. Read up on the church, which enhanced my appreciation, given its historical significance. Lots of history in Montgomery Alabama, not all good in retrospect, but history nonetheless. May Martin Luther King‘s memory be for a blessing ...

Went on the tour with Wanda Battle who uplifted and inspired us with her stories, warmth and welcoming attitude. She truly is a gift from God. This was the highlight of our trip here because we were all strangers who left as friends. We saw a beautiful church with so much history.

Visited downtown Montgomery today. It was great time. The city was witness to some of the most important parts of American history. The King Baptist Church was a sight to see. A lot of moments to take in there.

Montgomery is a lovely town, although we visited early in the
morning so perhaps it was just a quiet time of day. Moving to
think Doctor King was here.

We arrived early for a scheduled tour and were immediately invited to, introduced to other couple on tour and guides, and joined a tour. Mrs Battle was a fantastic tour guide; welcoming, knowledgable and passionate. She stopped and took photos for anyone and everybody in prominent locations within the church. We learned so much and are so glad we made a somewhat impromptu day stop in Montgomery. Would recommend to all.

We lucked into a tour and Wanda Howard battle is a most wonderful guide - she has the gift of exuding love and welcoming all. Lots learned!

I was surprised as to how many historic events happened in this church that Dr. King pastored for a relatively short time. I was surprised as to how close it is to the state capitol building and that a slave market had once existed at the other end of the street. This is a must-see for anyone wanting to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement.

Just down the road from the state capital buildings, it was not immediately apparent if the church was open and how to participate on one of the tours. Then Wanda opens the door and introduces herself. Wanda is one of the most wonderful tour guides (and people) I can remember. Wanda is deeply involved in this church and this shines through in the way she conducts the talk and the tour. Wanda’s warmth and humanity is truly infectious and inspirational. This is accompanied by a fantastic knowledge to pass on about Dr. King and his significant work in the church, the community and all across the south.
The church and the thoughts about the oratory that was delivered there, is evocative and powerful.
Singing “We Shall Overcome” in this church was very emotional – an incredible and moving experience.

We were just in time for the last tour of the day. In fact it had just started but the two guides greeted us very enthusiastically - strong hugs all around.
A decent video gives an introduction before the guide tells you about the highlights in the basement - mural, Dr King's office and desk, ...
You then go upstairs into the church where there is more dialogue and plenty of time to look around.
A bit of a pilgrimage site for Civil Rights / Dr King lovers

Awesome tour guide who was very knowledgeable about the amazing history of this place. If you want to get a view into MLK and the civil rights movement, this place should be on top of your list. Beautiful mural in basement, chance to stand behind MLK's pulpit, and see the church itself. Better yet, visit on a Sunday for services!

We took the tour kind of by accident, but were very happy that we did. Tour guide was wonderfully enthusiastic and friendly, and gave us a lot of interesting information about this historic church. Many of us on the tour knew quite a bit about this history, but even then learned a lot. For younger folks, who only know a modest amount, this would be an invaluable experience, but it's great for anyone.

We had the pleasure of doing the tour with Wanda, who did a fantastic job being uplifting, motivational, and engaging. The building is inspiring because of what it symbolizes. The interior is inspiring because of whom spent time there. And the tour matched that inspiration with knowledge, song, and prayer.

I did not go into the church as I feel that churches are meant to be tourist destinations. I was struck, however, by what is just up the street over one's shoulder. I turned 90 degrees and spotted the statue of Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy and the man who fought to keep slavery legal, looking down from the Alabama State Capitol onto the church. The Confederacy is still being heralded just a few yards from Martin Luther King Jr.'s church! Alabama, take down that statue!

One can enter via the stairs in front which lead to the basement and stairs to the church or enter by the side door which enters right into the church - no stairs. It is moving to see the place that Dr.King preached. Our tour was led by an enthusiastic, knowledgeable woman who gathered us all together and found out about the people in the group. Many were on civil rights tours or were in Montgomery for civil rights purposes.
We went downstairs where there is a full wall mural about civil rights. There is a small memorial to Dr. King the 20th pastor of this church.
Outside on Dexter Avenue be sure to notice the foot prints painted on the street leading to the capital. Start there and complete your own march to Montgomery.

It was great to see such an historical building.....that has such a huge importance in the 1960's with MLK Jr. and the civil rights movement and fight for basic human rights.

My wife and I had a wonderful experience this morning, attending church services at the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. We were in town for two days, a Sunday and Monday, when tours are not available; however, Sunday mornings present the opportunity to truly participate in the church’s legacy. An extremely welcoming community, Rev. Cromwell A. Handy gave a sermon that fittingly followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We really felt at one with this historic congregation, singing from the African American Heritage Hymnal along with its outstanding choir and musicians. One of the parishoners who welcomed us individually was the former secretary to Dr. King. We are now considered to be associate members of the congregation.

This was truly an outstanding lifetime experience in a very spiritual and historic setting. If you are visiting Montgomery on a Sunday, do not miss this opportunity.