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By Becky Nichols

Special to The Selma Times-Journal

Plan to join us on Thursday, March 13, 2025 as we welcome author and photographer, Jackson Knight with his book, Churches of the Alabama Black Belt.

Our forefathers incorporated Selma in 1820 and with that advent, laid out the streets and lots for the formation of residential areas. “Old Town:” became home for so many family names.

Architecture was as varied as the people who called the structures “home”. Families were established and life began on the banks of the sluggish Alabama River.

We celebrate for sure the beautiful architecture of our stately homes and recognize each time how valuable a story they tell.

But we also recognize the partnership of our local churches in becoming the major focal point of life and faith for those in our community.

Our churches spread out into the surrounding county of Dallas. They have been icons of strength and worship as well as neighborhood centers. Many of our churches have become schools and havens of activity for members and visitors alike.

Churches define community. They are active places of life. We return them for worship, prayer and encouragement as our lives unfold day by day. We depend on their permanence.

We are so proud Churches of the Alabama Black belt to the library and hope you will join us to see and hear Jackson Knight present his diverse collection of 217 photographs.

Just about every standing church or place of worship in Dallas County- whether with a high steeple or just a simple roof- is represented and identified.

Those 217 photographs in the book indicate that religion is an important part of our foundation as people of our Black Belt.

Pilgrimage representatives will be selling tickets to the Pilgrimage Tours of Homes so pick up your ticket and support their great cause of preservation.

A delicious lunch will be served from noon until 12:30 and the program will begin at 12:30 with book sales. Tickets are $15.00 and reservations may be made by calling the library at 874 1725 or dana@selmalibrary.org.