Remembering MLK at local Meridian church

First Union Baptist Church was known for several Civil Rights activities in Meridian. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left a mark in the community speaking at the church after the disappearance of Civil Rights leaders back in 1964.

“Dr. King came and he came to bring a sense of hope still in the midst of that dark era," said Rev. Gary Houston, President of Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. "In the midst of the loss of those three boys, he still came to bring a sense of hope and that work is not in vain, our faith is not in vain and we continue to strive for the better of everyone.”

Although we are going through a time of fear and struggle, King’s legacy will continue to be celebrated throughout Meridian.

“It is that hallowed ground that we always like to come back and celebrate the fact that his message of keeping hope alive," said Houston. "Our theme this year was Moving from Chaos to Community so all of that is so important to us.”

Decades after King’s speech, Houston says we still need to follow King's example for the greater good of the community.

“Dr. King had a way of bringing everybody together and that’s what we strive to do," said Houston. "It’s more important today than ever before that we stand and hold up the light that this is the way that we should go.”