By Garr McCrimmon, Martin Luther King, Jr. High School The Second Baptist Church is one of the oldest African-American churches in the Midwest. It is located on the corner of Monroe and Beaubien Streets, near Greektown. During the days of slavery, this church hid slaves in the basement. Many times this was the stop where escaping slaves could rest and recuperate from the dangerous travel North. When it was safe, they could cross the Detroit River to freedom in Canada. The church is still prosperous and has many prominent members from the metropolitan Detroit area. Second Baptist Church has become a very popular historic site. A guided tour and presentation about the Underground Railroad is available. The tours are conducted by the noted historian Dr. Nathaniel Leach. Tours need to be reserved well in advance. |
