Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia

Date: 1886 [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

US Black Heritage Project homepage

Current Location: 101 Jackson St NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Website: https://www.ebenezeratl.org
Wikipedia: Ebenezer Baptist Church
Wikitree Category for Congregation: Category: Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia

Contents 1 History 2 Pastors 3 Members 4 Sources

History

Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta Georgia is perhaps best known as the church where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as co-pastor from 1960 until his assassination in 1968. It was founded in 1886 by Rev. John A. Parker and thirteen others. Its original location was on Airline Street. Rev. John A. Parker served as the first pastor and the new congregation remained small throughout his tenure.

Rev. Adam Daniel Williams (1863-1931), maternal grandfather of Dr. King Jr., became the pastor on March 14, 1894. At the time, Ebenezer had just seventeen church members. In his first year, about 65 members were added to the congregation. Over the next twenty years, as the church grew rapidly, the location changed several times. Locations during this era include:

• McGruder Street church
• Church on Bell and Gilmer Streets, purchased in 1900 and used until 1914
• The church met in the basement level of the 407 Auburn Avenue site from about 1914-1918
• The church met in a storefront at 444 Edgewood from about 1918-1922 while the upper level auditorium was being built on Auburn Ave.
• In 1922, the historic 407 Auburn Avenue location was completed and began to be used for services.

Rev. Williams used his position and influence to promote black businesses and fight segregation.

Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., father of Rev. Dr. King Jr. became an assistant pastor in 1927 and then became the senior pastor in 1931 after Rev. Williams's death. He had three assistant pastors during his tenure. First, his son, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assistant pastor from 1960 until his death in 1968. Then, his other son, Rev. Alfred Daniel Williams King Sr. was assistant pastor from 1968 until his death in 1969. Then, Dr. Otis Moss became assistant pastor in 1971.

After. Rev. King Sr.'s retirement in 1975, Rev. Dr. Joseph Lawrence Roberts Jr. became senior pastor. He served for 30 years and during his tenure a new church building, the Horizon Sanctuary, across the street was built at 101 Jackson St NE.

Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock became the senior pastor in 2005.

Pastors

Pastors of the church include:

• John A. Parker, 1886-1894
• Adam Daniel Williams, 1894-1931
• Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., assistant pastor 1927-1931 and senior pastor 1931-
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., assistant pastor 1960-1968
• Alfred Daniel Williams King Sr., assistant pastor 1968-1969
• Dr. Otis Moss, assistant pastor, 1971
• Rev. Dr. Joseph Lawrence Roberts Jr., senior pastor 1975-2005
• Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor beginning in 2005

Members

Church members can be found in the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia.

Profiles can be added to the category by placing [[Category:Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia]] above the Biography heading.

Sources

• "Our History," Ebenezer Baptist Church, https://www.ebenezeratl.org/our-history/ : accessed 18 Nov 2023.