Sixteenth Street Baptist Church launches new inclusive sensory room

Sixteenth Street Baptist Church has opened a KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Room, making it the oldest venue in the world to house a dedicated sensory room.

The new room is in the parish hall of the historic church, where visitors gather to learn about the history of the church and its pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement. 

What is a KultureCity Sensory Room and why does it matters?

A KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Room is a quiet space located within event spaces, like museums, concert halls, and sports arenas and stadiums. Rooms are designed for individuals with invisible disabilities, such as autism, PTSD or dementia, who experience sensory overload. 

The global organization is headquartered here in Birmingham, Alabama.

Julian Maha, Founder of KultureCity spoke at the dedication about the importance of having a KultureCity Sensory Room inside Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. 

“I want to begin by expressing our deepest gratitude to Pastor Arthur Price, the leadership of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, the congregation, and everyone who helped make today possible.

For generations, this church has stood as a beacon of hope, courage, justice, and love. When the world needed moral leadership, when it needed any kind of leadership, 16th Street Baptist Church always answered that call. It became a place where history was shaped, not only in Birmingham, not just for Alabama, but for our nation and the world. 

And today, this church leads again. Today, this historic sanctuary becomes the oldest place in the world to include a dedicated sensory room.”

Julian Maha, Founder of KultureCity

How does the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church sensory room fit into Birmingham’s Civil Rights District?

This is not the first sensory room within the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. In April, KultureCity unveiled the 1000th room worldwide at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which happens to be located across the street from 16th Street Baptist Church.

Pastor Price put it simply: here’s what this room means to everyone who walks through those doors.

“Today is more than a ribbon cutting. Today is a kingdom moment. The ministry of Jesus was never about deciding to move along. It was always about making room for those whom others had overlooked.

Throughout the gospel, Jesus welcomed the weary. He embraced the marginalized. He created spaces where people could experience the love of God without any barriers. That is what this sensory room represents today. 

Today, we’re declaring that every person matters. That every family matters. That every worshiper matters. Whether you’re a child, a teenager, or an adult that’s experiencing sensory sensitivity, you should never wonder if there’s a place for you in the house of the Lord.” 

Rev. Arthur Price, Jr., Pastor Sixteenth Baptist Church

Where you can find sensory rooms in Birmingham

In addition to the two sensory rooms in the Civil Rights District there are also spaces at the following places in Birmingham:

• Coca-Cola Amphitheater
• Legacy Arena
• Boutwell Auditorium
• Birmingham Crossplex 
• Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
• The Birmingham Museum of Art
• Birmingham Zoo

To learn more about KultureCity and their programs, visit kulturecity.org