The sign over the old historic Ebenezer Baptist Church shines a lot brighter, now that the make over is finished in the church where the Rev. Dr. Martin L. King Jr. launched the civil rights movement.
Visitors recently entered the refurbished church for the first time in four years. It has been closed since 2007, when the National Park Service – which controls the facility-decided to invest around $8 million in federal and private funds to restore it back to how it looked in the 60s, when King was co-pastor along with his father.
“He was a man of God,” said King’s daughter, Bernice. “He was a minister. He was a pastor. So this restoration is about the pastor.”
Remodeled Church Picture
Ebenezer Baptist, a national historic site is considered one of the top churches in the nation along with National Cathedral in Washington and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.
“I was in awe of the beauty,” said Judy Forte, the superintendent of the site. “I am excited that the American public will be able to experience Ebenezer the way it was meant to be experienced.”
The once-white walls are now coral. Light shines through stunning painted glass windows. The only new items in the church are the organ and the choir stand chairs, although they remain vintage.
Pews have been refinished, but the nicks and marks of age remain. The baptismal tub is operational. The old green and white-tiled floor of the fellowship hall floor is back. Workmen upgraded the roof, wiring and air-conditioning.
Many dignitaries attended the recent reopening service, including Martin L. King III. “The greatest memories are positive and overwhelming and wonderful,” he said.
Before setting to work, the restoration team analyzed paint chips to recreate the exact shade of paint. They studied old photographs of the fellowship hall in the basement.
Now visitors can walk near the pulpit where Dr. King gave his last sermon, Drum Major Instinct. Visitors can also see the microphone he used, and a communion tray he passed. A recording of Dr. King’s voice loops through the sound system. Schoolchildren smile. Foreign tourists snap photos in front of the pulpit.
About 12 years ago, the Ebenezer congregation moved to a larger, more modern church across the street. The newly remodeled church will keep its doors open seven days a week.
