Temple Baptist Church

Located on Dedeaux Road in Gulfport, Mississippi, Temple Baptist Church is a historic place of worship that has played a significant role in the community since its establishment.

History

• The church was first known as the Fourteenth Avenue Baptist Church when it opened in 1917 by the Fourteenth Avenue Baptist Society. In 1921, the society merged with the Grand River Avenue Baptist Church, and the combined church became Temple Baptist Church.
• In 1934, Temple Baptist Church invited leading fundamentalist Rev. J. Frank Norris to serve as pastor. After internal feuding, George Beauchamp Vick became pastor in 1950 and remained so after the church relocated to its current site.

Architecture

The main auditorium of Temple Baptist Church is an Art Deco building constructed in 1937. The second building, also known as the Main Auditorium, was originally a Tudor Revival structure built by architect J. Will Wilson in 1917, then remodeled and made into classrooms and office space by 1940.

Location

The church is located at Dedeaux Road 14190 in Gulfport, Mississippi. It serves as a significant location to the Civil Rights Movement, having been an early member of the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the site of that body's second annual conference. The church also hosted notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph D. Abernathy, and Benjamin Mays.

Notable Features

The Main Auditorium has a capacity of over 5,000 people, making it one of the largest African American-owned auditoriums in Gulfport. The church is also known for its significant role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Organ and Bells Information

No information is available on the organ or bells of Temple Baptist Church.

Heritage Status

The church's historic buildings are listed as a notable landmark in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Visiting Information

Temple Baptist Church is open to visitors. However, its opening hours are not publicly available.

Notable Artworks or Relics

No information is available on the artworks or relics of Temple Baptist Church.