Grant awarded to help preserve Historic King Solomon Church of Detroit

DETROIT – With names like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X speaking there you know the place has a rich history.

That's the case for one local church and the reason why the congregation says they can't just let it go.

Good news is in store for Detroit's Historic King Solomon Church. The old church is in serious need of repairs.

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The state historic preservation office says the Baptist church can be saved. It has a history in the civil rights movement and ancient architecture. 

It is the only church in the country where Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Thurgood Marshall spoke to raise money after the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case.  

The church was built in 1917. The 5,000-seat auditorium across the street was one of the few places of its size that African Americans could utilize in the mid 20th century.

In recognition of its civil rights significance, the Historic King Solomon Church complex was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

Today the church is in dire need of improvements and because of its rich history, it is going to get some new life.

 The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office has been awarded a $500,000 African American civil rights grant from the National Park Service.

The funding will be used to rehabilitate the church's roof. There are also other plans underway for the historic church.  

The Rev. Charles Williams II of the Historic King Solomon Church says the ultimate goal is to bring the whole building back to life and use the space to offer resources to the community around here. 

This grant is no where near what the church needs. The congregation is raising additional money.