Mayor Michelle Wu and local community celebrated the dedication of Twelfth Baptist Church Square in Roxbury, revealing a new historic street sign and marker honoring the church's significant contributions since its founding in 1840. The event emphasized Twelfth Baptist's role as a center of spirituality, education, and justice for Black Bostonians, with ties to prominent civil rights activists and faith leaders such as Rev. Leonard Grimes and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Twelfth Baptist Church not only serves as a spiritual home, but a historic pillar in our community that continues to steward and safeguard our community," Wu said, according to the Boston government.
In partnership with Boston 250 and Everyone250, the city aims to celebrate Boston's upcoming semiquincentennial by placing 20 new markers throughout the city. This initiative, together with an interactive digital map, aims at highlighting lesser-known stories integral to Boston's history. The effort also includes a broader citywide campaign to reimagine how Boston's history is shared and memorialized. Everyone250 has already unveiled markers at Kings Chapel and Union Church. The dedication at Twelfth Baptist Church, one of the planned unveilings, coincides with the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, further underlining the importance of recognizing the city's Black heritage.
Rev. Dr. Willie Bodrick, II, Senior Pastor of Twelfth Baptist Church, shared powerful reflections on the meaning of the dedication. "This moment is about naming sacred ground and telling the truth in a country that has too often attempted to erase Black presence, Black faith, and Black struggle," Bodrick told the Boston government. He added, "The naming of Twelfth Baptist Church Square, by contrast, bears witness to the Underground Railroad, to liberation, and to a faith that refused to make peace with injustice."
Complementing this, Will Dickerson, Senior Advisor & Head of Faith-based Initiatives, commented on the church's longstanding influence. "The impact of Twelfth Baptist extends throughout Roxbury and the surrounding areas. Many of Boston’s Black educators, doctors, lawyers, and community activists call Twelfth Baptist Church home," Dickerson noted, highlighting the church’s role in shaping community leaders, as per a report by the City of Boston. These stories of empowerment and community service are at the heart of Everyone250's mission to bring to light the varied narratives that have shaped Boston over the past 250 years.
Imari Paris Jeffries, Ph.D., President and CEO of Embrace Boston and Co-Chair of Everyone250, discussed the significance of the initiative in today's context. "As we come together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, this work is more urgent than we can imagine," Jeffries stated, as mentioned by the Boston government. “With Everyone250, we are reshaping Boston’s historical narrative so it reflects everyone who shaped it.” To learn more about the organizations behind this initiative, visit Boston 250 and Everyone250.
