16th Street Baptist Church
16th Street Baptist Church
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
Four young girls were killed when a Ku Klux Klan bomb exploded in this church in 1963. The girls are remembered with a shrine in the crypt where they died, and a vibrant stained glass window donated in sympathy by the people of Wales adorns the historic church.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
352 reviews
Excellent
228
Very good
94
Average
25
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Monique R
Tallahassee, FL112 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
If you’re visiting Birmingham, take the time to visit this historical church. The tour was an hour and packed full of history related not only to the church, but the city, the state and the country. There are quite a few stairs to navigate but an elevator is available. We bought our tickets in advance and be ready to show the actual receipt before entering. Masks are required. They have some available if you don’t bring one.
Written May 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LexiV
Cleveland, OH1,741 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
This was an amazing experience. We reserved online then showed up for our tour. We were given masks to wear. There are two videos and then you are taken around the room of exhibits by a knowledgeable guide. Then there's another video in a separate room and you're taken to the church proper. Be sure to see the commemorative plaque outside as well. This is living history and is more than well worth anyone's time. The tour is appropriate for all ages, and the guides do a great job of making history come alive in a way that is hopeful for the future. I highly recommend purposefully taking a trip here.
Written December 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise H
Orlando, FL29 contributions
Dec 2022
Volunteers do a great job of sharing the history, importance, tragedy and beauty of this landmark. Learn the circumstances of the infamous bombing and see the beautiful sanctuary which is still in use. Elevator available.
Written December 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swearengen
Colonia, NJ838 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
I wasn't planning on stopping in here, but I saw a few people going in after we came out of the museum, so we went over and were able to get on the tour. We started with the movie which gave an overview of the bombing. Then the guides told the story in more detail and gave a tour of the church to show where it all happened.
Written May 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason G
17 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
The church was closed for renovations but I am glad we went a little out of the way to visit the church and the park across the street.
It is quite literally ground zero for the Civil Rights movement. We took our children so they could have a better understanding of what happened a few decades ago here in our own country.
This site was bombed and several young girls lost their lives, there were also 2 other bombings the same day. The walk through park gave an interesting depiction of the events with photos and statues of the events in the park.
Hopefully we kids will remember .....
Side note: We did get approached by homeless folks but they were not aggressive. Lock your vehicle and pay attention to what you are doing and you will be fine. During the day we were fine, with 3 kids.
It is quite literally ground zero for the Civil Rights movement. We took our children so they could have a better understanding of what happened a few decades ago here in our own country.
This site was bombed and several young girls lost their lives, there were also 2 other bombings the same day. The walk through park gave an interesting depiction of the events with photos and statues of the events in the park.
Hopefully we kids will remember .....
Side note: We did get approached by homeless folks but they were not aggressive. Lock your vehicle and pay attention to what you are doing and you will be fine. During the day we were fine, with 3 kids.
Written April 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philomena D
Branch, LA99 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We are from Louisiana. We stayed in Montgomery few days and stopped In Birmingham for one day. We travel d from Montgomery to Birmingham on I-65 and it happened 5 vechiles to get wrecks. We arrived late to pass 2 pm but church is already closed but we did not disappointed b cause they have history outside by church’s window and by Civil Rights nest church about sad story of innocent black young kids.
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheGambianRPCV
Reynoldsburg, OH738 contributions
Apr 2021
Unfortunately because of COVID, the church was not open for tours, but quite honestly, just being in the location and walking the outside was enough. Emotionally it's a tough place to visit, but absolutely necessary. I was happy to give my 13 year old a history lesson and explain what had happened there. An absolute must if you are in the area.
Written April 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JerseyQueen
Jersey Shore, NJ172 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
Thought it was a good idea to go and visit this historic site. Didn’t know that you had to pay to go inside so I didn’t. The building is in great condition knowing it’s history. Maybe one day I’ll go back and pay to see the inside.
Written March 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sydney
Saint Louis, MO210 contributions
Dec 2022
We didn't have time for a tour (estimated to last an hour) so we just walked around outside. There are still signs posted that explain the significance of the 16th Street Baptist Church. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute also has a segment about the bombing. Great stop on a Civil Rights Tour, but it is close to Kelly Ingram Park where panhandlers hang out, and we saw panhandlers approach some other visitors just after we left the church.
Written March 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FlyAtNight
Brooklin, Canada3,631 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
I arrived too late in the day to be able to properly see the church. I had just finished touring the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Thankfully I was able to walk around the outside and take pictures of the church where 4 girls were killed by the Klan in 1963.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
how to schedule a tour the week before Christmas or between Christmas and New Years
Written December 5, 2016
You have to call the church. The phone number is on their website. Look under tours. They schedule for the middle of the day during the week and not sure about Saturdays. Obviously no tours on Sunday. Absolutely do not by-pass the Civil Rights Institute next door. Incredibly good museum. Dr. King's cell where he wrote his Birmingham letter is there. And there are some great people working there. Also be sure to go to the park. The statue of the little girls is very moving.
Written December 6, 2016
Just curious. Our church group is headed there next weekend, and trying to also book a tour at Civil Rights Institute. How long is the 16th Street tour? I don't want to rush our group through.
Many thanks!
Written March 13, 2016
The tour of the church doesn't take very long, I believe it maybe self guided. There was an information number you could call at one time. Here is the church's phone number (205) 251-9402
Written March 14, 2016
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