Bailey Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, 117 23rd Ave.

Bailey.jpg

Title

Bailey Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, 117 23rd Ave.

Subject

Churches
African-American-- History--Tuscaloosa

Description

The Bailey Tabernacle CME Church was founded in 1870 when the last 45 Black members of the Tuscaloosa First Methodist Church formed their own church. The original building was designed by Wallace A. Rayfield, a black architect. It was named for one of the first pastors, Rev. Virgil L. Bailey. The church was rebuilt in 1998

After the First African Baptist Church was damaged during "Bloody Tuesday" on June 9, 1964 when marchers gathered to walk to the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse to protest segregated facilities, Bailey Tabernacle became the new center of the local civil rights movement. The next steps in this struggle were discussed and planned in the church.

Creator

Elizabeth Bradt

Source

Elizabeth Bradt

Date

2021

Contributor

Elizabeth Bradt (Description)

Type

Photograph

Identifier

2567

Coverage

Tuscaloosa (AL)

Original Format

Photograph