Bethel Baptist Church: The Fearless Civil Rights Legacy of Birmingham’s Fred Shuttlesworth
Everyone has heard of Martin Luther King, but he’s just a part of the civil rights story.
The Movement (and King) owe much of their success to a fearless minister from Birmingham, Alabama: the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.
The Bravest Man of the Civil Rights Movement
Dubbed by historians as the most courageous figure of the movement, Shuttlesworth founded the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights and led from the front lines. He continued, even when:
- His church, Bethel Baptist, was bombed three times.
- A Christmas Day attack literally blew him out of his bed in the church parsonage.
- He was jailed more than 30 times for civil disobedience.
- He and his wife Ruby were brutally attacked while attempting to enroll their daughters in Birmingham’s all-white Phillips High School.
‘Goodness is supposed to confront evil.’
Shuttlesworth’s fiery sermons and unwavering conviction inspired Birmingham. “Confrontation is not bad,” he preached. “Goodness is supposed to confront evil.” On another occasion, he challenged his followers: “You have to be prepared to die before you can be prepared to live.”
It Began at Bethel
Historic Bethel Baptist Church proudly claims “It Began at Bethel,” and historians agree. The church’s significance has earned it inclusion in the proposed U.S. Civil Rights Trail UNESCO World Heritage Site, placing it alongside iconic locations such as the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, and the Lorraine Motel in Memphis where Dr. King was assassinated.
Visiting Historic Bethel Baptist Church
If Shuttlesworth’s name sounds vaguely familiar, it might be because you flew into Birmingham’s airport, which is named for the minister.
Historic Bethel Baptist Church, is located near the airport, and is often the first stop tour groups make in Birmingham. Although just a few miles from the high-rises of downtown, it feels world’s away, hemmed in by railroad tracks, industrial sites and scrap yards.
The congregation has traditionally been working class, like its famous pastor. The church has preserved its historic building and is in the process of constructing a visitors center, with a planned virtual reality Shuttlesworth, who will be able to answer questions.
What to See at Bethel Baptist
Even without a guided tour (available by appointment), visitors can experience this powerful site:
- Bombing markers: Notice the granite blocks near the entrance and in the side yard marking where bombs were placed, with dates inscribed
- Ghost building: A white frame outline shows where the original parsonage once stood
- The second parsonage: Look across the street at the refurbished house where Shuttlesworth sheltered Freedom Riders after their bus was firebombed in Anniston in east Alabama
- Basement exhibits (Tour required): The church basement, once used for non-violence training sessions, now displays Shuttlesworth memorabilia including:
- Leather suitcases the Shuttlesworths carried when challenging segregation laws
- The wheelchair Shuttlesworth used in his later years, a testament to injuries sustained during numerous attacks
The bombings were meant to terrorize Shuttlesworth, but did the opposite. The first bombing, on Christmas Day 1956, was timed to intimidate the minister, who had called for a Dec. 26 protest of Birmingham’s segregated bus service, which continued even after Montgomery had desegregated its buses following the yearlong Rosa Parks-inspired protest.
Another bombing came early in the morning of June 29, 1958, when a church security patrol discovered a paint can stuffed with 15 to 20 sticks of dynamite next to the building. And a third was placed on Dec. 13, 1962.
Beyond Bethel: Following Shuttlesworth’s Footsteps
John Herbert Phillips Academy
This school building (2316 7th Ave N V, Birmingham) was formerly Phillips High School, where in 1957 Shuttlesworth and his wife were viciously attacked by Klansmen with chains and baseball bats when attempting to enroll their daughters. A historical marker now honors their courage.
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
The nearby airport was named for Shuttlesworth in 2008, a fitting honor given his courageous fight to integrate public transportation.
The airport honors its namesake with a Shuttlesworth exhibit near baggage claim. Look for the collage of black and white portraits, offering a glimpse of Shuttlesworth during his years of activism.
On the secure side, look for artist Rico Gatson’s Shuttlesworth portrait in Concourse B. Originally created for the Birmingham Museum of Art’s Wall to Wall series. the mural is nearly 13 feet high and 66 feet wide and features a portrait of Shuttlesworth surrounded by a sunburst array of colors. Another airport exhibit honors the Tuskegee Airmen,
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
You’ll find many mentions of Shuttlesworth at the city’s premier history museum, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, part of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Look for a statue of the reverend outside the entrance. Read more about how to visit here.
Planning Your Visit
Bethel Baptist Church’s location near the airport makes it an ideal first stop for civil rights tours in Birmingham. While somewhat isolated from downtown attractions, its historical significance makes it essential for understanding the movement that transformed America.
For guided tours, contact the church to make an appointment. Even without a tour, the markers and Shuttlesworth’s legacy make this stop worthwhile.
