Yesterday evening, US Democratic Senator of Georgia, Revd Raphael Warnock, addressed a congregation at St Paul’s to mark 60 years since Revd Dr Martin Luther King Jr preached at the Cathedral.
Joined by 150 members of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta where King was the Co-Pastor, Revd Warnock spoke to a large number of attendees including members of Martin Luther King’s family. In his lecture, the Reverend reflected on King’s legacy, what his messages mean to us today and what can be learnt 60 years on.
Revd Raphael Warnock said:
“When Martin Luther King Jr stood in that pulpit 60 years ago, he was not just standing in a pulpit, but he was standing at a crossroads – of the ongoing struggle of a leader for a movement of democracy – a movement that had begun to inspire people all over the world.”
In 1964, on a flying visit on his way to Norway to collect his Nobel Peace Prize, Martin Luther King addressed a congregation of 4,000 people from the pulpit at St Paul’s. The visit gave the British public a rare opportunity to hear him in person. Afterwards, he gave a press conference in the Cathedral’s Chapter House about race relations in the UK.
Described as “spellbinding” by journalists there at the time, King took his theme from the Book of Revelation, discussing the parallels to be drawn between the UK and the US when it came to race relations.
Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, said:
“As we mark 60 years since Dr Martin Luther King Jr preached at the Cathedral, his message of equality and justice, continue to resonate with us all today. Guided by his faith in God, King’s words act as a reminder to choose love and compassion over intolerance and prejudice.
“Bringing together communities across the UK and the US, Revd Warnock’s lecture reflected on King’s wisdom and humanity, inspiring us all in the ongoing struggle against injustice in all its forms for individuals and groups across the world.”
