Skip to main content Skip to secondary navigation

From H. Edward Whitaker

Main content start

Author: Whitaker, H. (Horace) Edward (New Hope Baptist Church)

Date: January 18, 1956

Location: Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Genre: Letter

Topic: Martin Luther King, Jr. - Career in Ministry

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Details

Whitaker discusses plans for King’s visit, scheduled for 25 March but later rescheduled to 22 July. King noted “to be answered soon” on the letter and responded on 30 January.1

Dr. M. L. King Jr
Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
Dexter Avenue at Decatur St
Montgomery, Ala.

Dear Mike:

Sometime ago I wrote to you concerning your coming here for a of services. Well we have finally set the date, which I hope you will find it convenient. We should like to begin the services on the evening of Palm Sunday, March 25 and conclude with a Maundy Thursday Communion service. This arrangement would give you ample time to get back home for Easter Sunday. This is a venture for us in our attempt to spiritualize the church to a greater degree. This you will understand when you get here. Some people call such series of services Religious emphasis Week, others call them Revivals. You may take your choice.

We shall be glad to pay your expenses and give an honorarium commensurate with all that’s involved.

It was quite pleasant to talk with your wife the other day while you were out of town. And as I said to her, you people are doing a nice job in the bus situation. It is getting nationwide publicity. I hope and pray that every thing it will work out satisfactory, because if it can be done there it can be done elsewhere in the south. If there is anything we can do, don’t hesitate to let us know. We have a good many people from Alabama and from conversations with them they are quite interested in what’s going on there now. I am sure they will be glad to go further if their support is needed.

If for any reason you will not be able to accept these services let me know at once. With kind regards and best wishes to the family, I remain

Sincerely,
[signed] Whit
H. Edward Whitaker

1. See p. 113 in this volume.

Source: DABCC-INP, Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church Collection, In Private Hands.

© Copyright Information