Civil Rights Pilgrimage
Vestavia Hills Baptist Church
October 2026-April 2027
An Immersive Spiritual Journey Through Birmingham’s Civil Rights Heritage
Our purpose: For residents of Alabama to embark on a spiritual pilgrimage to significant Civil Rights locations connected to houses of faith. This journey offers participants the opportunity to engage historical sites, the Spirit of God, one another, and personal stories while fostering spiritual formation.
Why a pilgrimage? Pilgrimage has long been a Christian practice, a way of stepping away from our usual surroundings to pay closer attention to God, ourselves, and the world around us. As we walk through houses of worship and other historic Civil Rights sites, we will consider the courage and faith of those who came before us and reflect on what it means for us to be people who seek justice and peace in our own time.
Participants: This pilgrimage is open to adults committed to exploring Birmingham’s Civil Rights history through a faith-based lens within a yearlong covenant group experience. The group will be limited to 12 participants to ensure a reflective and intimate experience.
2026-2027 Pilgrimage Guides
Cost & Registration
Cost: $170 per person*
The registration fee covers entrance fees for the pilgrimage experiences. *Scholarships are available.
Participation requires a commitment to the full journey, from the opening retreat in October through the closing retreat in April.
Space is limited to 12 participants.
Application deadline: September 28
Questions? Contact Pastor Eric Spivey, Brad, Cynthia or Beth.
Getting Ready to Go on Pilgrimage
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Why are we going on pilgrimage?
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What is a pilgrimage? [Read - The Soul of a Pilgrim: 8 Practices for the Journey Within by Christine Valters Painter]
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Establish group norms and spiritual commitments
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Teaching foundational content on important events, people, and places to help provide context for our pilgrimage locations.
Going on Pilgrimage
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Going on Pilgrimage ***
Monthly Pilgrimage Experiences
From November through the spring, we will visit important Civil Rights sites in Birmingham and Montgomery, including:
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
16th Street Baptist Church
A.G. Gaston Motel
Temple Beth-El
Montgomery Legacy Sites
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church
Guided walking tours exploring Birmingham’s Civil Rights history
Each experience will include opportunities not only to learn the history but also to reflect together on its meaning for our faith and life today.
A Closing Retreat
Our pilgrimage will conclude in April with a retreat giving us time to reflect on what we have experienced, what we have learned, and how the journey might continue to shape the way we live our faith.