Little Union Baptist Church honored with marker on Louisiana Civil Rights Trail

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism unveiled the third marker on the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail on Friday, May 7 at 9 a.m.

The marker was unveiled at Little Union Baptist Church, located at 1846 Milam St.

“It tells a story of these great champions, heroic moments and people that stood up during a difficult time,” said Nungesser. “We started so much of the civil rights movement right here in Louisiana.”

Little Union Baptist Church was a leading church in the civil rights struggle. The church was also the where policemen attacked worshippers holding a memorial service for the young victims of the Birmingham church bombing in 1963.

“We have a lot of history to tell here and it will be an economic shot in the arm for many areas of the state that normally don’t get tourists,” said the lieutenant governor.

Former pastor Reverend C.C. McLain was active in the civil rights movement, hosting NAACP and CORE meetings.

“Size doesn’t matter, the color of your skin doesn’t matter,” said C.E. McClain, pastor of Little Union Baptist Church. “Get all you can, but don’t can all you get...God always has the final say.”

According to the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail website, Little Union Baptist Church and The Old Galilee Baptist Church were two of the primary meeting places for civil rights activists in Shreveport. Both churches welcomed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a guest pastor on multiple occasions.

“Those who don’t remember history are likely to repeat it,” said Pastor McClain. “Those who remember it can prevent certain things from again, so this is one of the great days in the 129 year history of Little Union Baptist Church.”

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