Birmingham International Church

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The Birmingham International Church, formerly Birmingham Gospel Tabernacle and Vestavia Alliance Church. is a Christian church, affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in the United States. It is located at 1380 Montgomery Highway in Vestavia Hills.

The congregation was organized by Glenn Tingley on December 31, 1929 with 234 charter members, and incorporated on March 12, 1930. During the year of its founding, the church agreed to purchase a lot at 1820 7th Avenue North for $75,000. The onset of the Great Depression forced it to alter its plans for a permanent church building. The church leased its new site and erected a smaller frame structure nearby on 6th Avenue North. That building quickly proved too small, and was condemned by fire inspectors in 1930. A new building on the 7th Avenue site was financed by a mortgage drawn up in 1945. It was paid off in June 1951, at which time the church had 1,435 members on its rolls.

During the 1950s, Tingley and his church spoke out against political corruption and supported downtown ministries, including the Jimmie Hale Mission.

In 1960 a new brick- and stone-clad building was constructed for the Birmingham Gospel Tabernacle for $160,000. The air-conditioned building was equipped with special lighting and equipment for televising services. In addition to the main sanctuary, the building accommodated a nursery, Sunday School rooms, and offices. During the construction of this new building, services were held in the Christian Community Center at 7th Avenue North and 18th Street.

During the 1963 Birmingham Campaign members of the church barred Black visitors from entering for a "kneel in". The confrontation split the congregation, and many members left. Eventually the congregation relocated to Vestavia Hills and merged with another church to become the Vestavia Alliance Church.

The former Birmingham Gospel Tabernacle was converted into offices. The cross-shaped cap on the entrance tower was removed. It has since been called the Legal Services Building for prominent tenant, Legal Services Alabama.

Under pastor Ron Higey, the church sought out membership from non-White individuals and families and adopted its present name. In 2017, after researching its history, the church published a letter of repentance in the Birmingham News and Birmingham Times, confessing its sins and soliciting prayers for it never to give into a "spirit of fear" again.

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