Sacred spaces: 8 historic congregations to visit and explore downtown

Location: 1530 6th Avenue North

Website: https://www.16thstreetbaptist.org/

About: Founded in 1873 as Birmingham’s first Black church, 16th Street Baptist has long been a cornerstone of the community. Its current building, designed by Black architect Wallace Rayfield and constructed in 1911, served as a spiritual and civic center during segregation, earning the nickname “everybody’s church.” The church became an international symbol of the Civil Rights Movement after the 1963 bombing that claimed the lives of four young girls. Today, it remains both a house of worship and a beacon of justice and remembrance.

Location: 2100 4th Avenue North

Website: https://www.fpcbham.org/

About: Established in 1858 and relocated to its current site in 1872, First Presbyterian Church (FPC) is Birmingham’s oldest continuously operating church. Its Romanesque architecture and storied past reflect a deep legacy of faith. During the Civil Rights era, FPC’s pastor Dr. Edward V. Ramage received Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” prompting a turning point for the church’s embrace of inclusivity.

Location: 518 19th Street North

Website: https://www.firstchurchbhm.com/

About: Formerly known as the First Methodist Episcopal Church South, this congregation began in 1872 inside the Bryant House storefront. That same year, the Elyton Land Company offered them a nearby lot for $5, leading to the construction of their first church. A larger structure replaced it in 1883, and in 1891, architect George Kramer designed the building that still stands today. Renovations in 1972 and 2014 preserved its historic character and secured its place on the National Register of Historic Places. With over 150 years of continuous ministry, it remains a vital presence in downtown Birmingham.

Location: 2017 6th Avenue North

Website: https://adventbirmingham.org/

About: Birmingham began its rapid growth in 1872, when the Elyton Land Company transformed previously underdeveloped land into a thriving industrial hub. Bishop Richard Hooker Wilmer dispatched Philip Fitts to minister to Birmingham’s early Episcopal community, where Fitts discovered 16 congregants. The group began gathering on a corner lot purchased for just $5 — a modest beginning for what would become a lasting spiritual home: Cathedral Church of the Advent. With the support of the Elyton Land Company and Hooker Wilmer, the church constructed its worship space (known as the “Nave”) by 1893. Through decades of growth and change, the Advent has remained a spiritual and architectural landmark in the heart of the city.

Location: 307 19th Street South

Website: https://holytrinity-holycross.com/

About: The Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral traces its roots to Birmingham’s first Greek immigrant, who arrived in 1884. Drawn by opportunities for economic and religious freedom, the Greek community grew steadily, reaching over 100 members by 1903. Recognizing the need for a dedicated place of worship, they formed The Lord Byron Society and purchased a wooden church building in 1906, laying the foundation for what would become one of the city’s most vibrant cultural institutions.

As the community expanded, so did its churches—Holy Trinity and Holy Cross operated separately until they united in 1953, forming the Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church. In the decades since, the cathedral has grown into a spiritual and cultural beacon, adding facilities, launching ministries and engaging in extensive outreach and philanthropy.

South Highland Presbyterian Church

Location: 2035 Highland Avenue South

Website: https://southhighland.org/

About: South Highland Presbyterian Church, an offshoot of Birmingham’s Third Presbyterian Church, was established to meet the needs of Highland’s growing community. In 1889, the first service took place at Taylor’s School, leading to the constructing of a frame building near the Parke Memorial Library. Facing financial challenges in 1893, the church prevailed, erasing debts by 1900. The grand English Gothic Revival church was designed by architect D. A. Helmich and was erected in 1892.

Location: 1045 20th Street South

Website: https://www.highlandsumc.net/

About: Highlands United Methodist Church was established on December 2, 1903, beginning its journey with gatherings held in Phillip Alosi’s Palace Market. After a brief period at the Five Points Chapel on 11th Avenue and 21st Street South, the growing congregation secured its permanent home by purchasing the market lot for $15,000. Plans for a grand new church were set in motion with a design initially credited to renowned New York architect Stanford White. However, following White’s untimely death in 1906, the project was completed under the direction of P. Thornton Marye of Atlanta. On March 14, 1909, the first official service was held in the newly completed sanctuary, which remains a symbol of the church’s enduring presence and commitment to the community.