
![]() The story of the Green Street Baptist Church in Selma is a familiar one: Despite being architecturally and historically significant, its future is threatened by a shrinking congregation and a lack of funding for maintenance. The congregation has been advised to tear down the older section of the building because saving it would be too costly. Most members do not want this to happen, but they acknowledge the challenges it would take to save their church. Occupying a prominent corner, the imposing brick Romanesque Revival, constructed in 1892 (with additions in 1922 and 1962), displays arched doors and windows, two towers, decorative corbelling, and an equally impressive interior. Historically, the church served African Americans in Selma throughout the century, and at one time, the Green Street church had more than one thousand members. Later, the church served the Selma-to-Montgomery marchers during the civil rights movement.
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BELINDA FREDD
4/29/2016 08:04:08 pm
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Alabama's Endangered Historic LandmarksEach year since 1994, Alabama Heritage has highlighted threatened historic sites throughout Alabama. The “Places in Peril” list has identified more than 215 imperiled historic resources throughout the state, and is compiled by the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation. The locations highlight the results of deferred maintenance, perceived obsolescence, development pressures, and lack of funding—forces that now more than ever threaten our cultural legacy. But awareness is a powerful force, too, and can cultivate a renewed determination to be responsible stewards of our heritage. For more information, visit the AHC or the ATHP websites. Alabama Heritage is proud to bring to you a selection of the places designated as perilous. Please keep your comments to information relevant to the featured place in peril. Alabama Heritage reserves the right to delete any comment that we deem inappropriate. Archives
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