Birmingham International Church: Difference between revisions

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The '''Legal Services Building''' is a former church, constructed in [[1950]] at 1820 [[7th Avenue North]] adjacent to [[Birmingham Fire Station No. 1]]. The 17,850 square-foot, two-story brick and stone-clad building has been converted into offices and is managed by [[Watts Realty]].
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 (Vestavia Hills)|Montgomery Highway]] in [[Vestavia Hills]].


[[Michael Mojher]]'s mural "[[Today to Tonight]]" was painted on the side of the Legal Services Building in [[1978]] as part of the [[Birmingham Mural Project]].
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.


In [[2010]] Watts commissioned [[Hendon & Huckestein Architects]] to prepare plans for a complete renovation of the building.
During the 1950s, Tingley and his church spoke out against political corruption and supported downtown ministries, including the [[Jimmie Hale Mission]].


==Tenants==
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 North|18th Street]].
* [[Legal Services of Alabama]]
 
* [[Edward E. May and Associates]]
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'''.
* [[Katrina Ross]]
 
* [[Green Brendetta Brown]]
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]].
* [[Mauldin Law Firm LLC]]
 
* [[Blankenship  & Co.]]
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.
* [[Steel City Services]]
 
==Pastors==
* [[Glenn Tingley]], 1929–1956
* [[Ronald Johnson]], 1956–
* [[Ron Higey]], 2004–2017
* [[Marko Requena]]


==References==
==References==
* Cooper, Lauren B. (October 18, 2010) "Watts Realty renovating downtown building." ''Birmingham Business Journal''
* "Start Is Made On Fund For Building Permanent Gospel Tabernacle Here." (April 15, 1930) {{BN}}, p. 2
* "Gospel Tabernacle to burn $40,000 mortgage Sunday." (June 10, 1951) {{BN}}, p. 5
* "Church Construction Continues" (September 26, 1959) {{BN}} via {{BPLDC}}
* "Tabernacle gets new sanctuary" (June 11, 1960) {{BN}}, p. 3
* Barnard, Mark (August 17, 2017) "Letter from a Birmingham Church." Blessing Point
* Wright, Erica (September 12, 2017) "Birmingham International Church lives up to its name." {{BT}}
 
==External links==
* [http://birminghaminternationalchurch.org/ Birmingham International Church] website


[[Category:1950 buildings]]
[[Category:Alliance churches]]
[[Category:Former churches]]
[[Category:1929 establishments]]
[[Category:Office buildings]]
[[Category:6th Avenue North]]
[[Category:Hendon & Huckestein buildings]]
[[Category:Legal Services Building]]
[[Category:7th Avenue North]]
[[Category:Montgomery Highway (Vestavia Hills)]]
[[Category:Churches in Vestavia Hills]]
[[Category:Churches formerly in Northside]]

Latest revision as of 07:20, 13 June 2023

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.

Pastors

References

External links

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