Martin Luther King Spoke at the St. Paul A.M.E. Church - St. Augustine, FL
N 29° 53.208 W 081° 18.904
17R E 469578 N 3306283
An historical marker about the St. Paul A.M.E. Church highlights Dr. King having spoken at the church. St. Paul A.M.E. is the only church in Florida where Dr. King actually preached and then led a demonstration.
Waymark Code: WMAYTN
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 03/13/2011
Views: 5
The marker reads as follows:
"According to HIS Divine Light: To Each of Us, God Has Given A Talent; Some to Lead, Some To Follow, Some To Build!"
In January 1904, plans were made to build the present church. Rev. E.F. Williams is remembered as architect and builder. He uttered these words at the groundbreaking: "Upon this spot GOD'S church is built and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
THUS, THE LEGACY CONTINUES! The great models of leaders, followers and builders propelled this church into THE CENTER OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF THE 1960s IN ST. AUGUSTINE. It was physically and spiritually appropriate to convene mass meetings here. THIS WAS THE SITE OF SPIRITED SPEAKERS, PROMINENT AMONG WHOM WERE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., HIS COLLEAGUES REV. RALPH D. ABERNATHY, HOSEA WILLIAMS AND REV. ANDREW YOUNG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE S.C.L.C., AND FIELD MARSHAL WILLIE M. BOLDEN. Their fortuitous visit of 1964 fostered the passage of The Civil Rights Act.
From these convenings of hopeful souls for civil equality could be heard exaltations of Christian yearnings, and serene echoes of "We Shall OverCome!"
Visit Instructions:
To visit a waymark in this category, use a handheld GPS receiver to physically visit the waymark. Upload an original photo of the waymark, keeping your GPSr and yourself out of the photo. Write additional information about the site to contribute to the quality and depth of the waymark. Cite any sources and avoid plagiarism.