Birmingham Sister Cities delegation to travel to Wales in honor of ‘Wales Window’

September 15 marks the 61st anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. In addition to a commemorative Sunday service, several Birminghamians are taking a trip across the pond to Wales.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Welsh community extended a gesture of support to the Birmingham church by gifting the Wales Window of Alabama.

To honor this act of solidarity, Birmingham’s Sister Cities delegation will travel to the United Kingdom this month, fostering connections with the people of Wales and deepening the bond between our communities.

The “Wales Window of Alabama”

Birmingham, AL has a unique friendship with Wales, UK.

Only days after the church was bombed in 1963, Welsh artist John Petts led a nationwide fundraising campaign in Wales to create a commemorative piece of art to donate to the church–the Wales Window for Alabama.

Located inside the 16th Street Baptist Church, the stained-glass window was a powerful symbol of solidarity with the church during their time of grief and loss.

“The window is a depiction of a black man who has suffered in the South like Christ did on the cross, with one hand pushing out hatred and the other hand open for forgiveness.

The different colors in the background represent the different colors, cultures and creeds around the world and the bottom inscription reads ‘You do it to me‘.

Jesus said, ‘When you do it to the least of these, you’ve also done it to me’.”

Reverend Arthur Price Jr, Pastor, 16th St. Baptist Church

The Birmingham delegation travels to Wales

In 2023, the City of Birmingham and the Welsh government signed an International Friendship Pact, affirming their commitment to supporting each other as sister cities.

Members of the Welsh delegation paid their respects in Birmingham at the 60th anniversary of the bombing.

Later this month, members of the Birmingham Sister Cities, in partnership with the City of Birmingham and Welsh Government, are traveling to Wales for a reciprocal visit to strengthen connections, collaborate and learn from each other.

During this trip, the Birmingham delegation also plans to visit the family of John Petts, the artist behind the Wales window.

Attendees from the Birmingham Sister Cities delegation include:

• Sarah Collins Rudolph, church bombing survivor
• Lisa McNair, sister of Denise McNair
• Kimberly McNair, sister of Denise McNair
• Janice Kelly, foot soldier in the Children’s March

Honoring the lost lives of 4 young girls

This Sunday, September 15, 16th St Baptist Church will hold a commemorative service remembering the four young girls—Addie Mae Collins (age 14), Cynthia Wesley (age 14), Carole Robertson (age 14) and Carol Denise McNair (age 11). 

• Sunday School–9:30AM
• Moment of Silence–10:22AM
• Sunday Worship–10:45AM
• Details

At around 12:15PM after the service, there will be a procession and wreath laying at the site where the church was bombed.

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