Fifty-one years ago on January 21, 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a sermon from the Gloria Dei pulpit.  It was a significant day in the history of Gloria Dei.  Dr. King’s sermon entitled "Paul's Letter to American Christians," opened the MN State Pastor's Conference hosted by Gloria Dei.  At that historic conference, MN elected its first black leader, Dr. Floyd Massey, Jr. of Pilgrim Baptist Church, as president.

Dr. King’s timeless words in this sermon based on an imagined letter from St. Paul to Americans still ring with truth today.  In writing to the people of Corinth 1900 years ago, Paul saw corruption, unfair distribution of great wealth, and political conflict.  King saw parallels between Paul's time and our own.  We invite you to ponder their meaning today.   MLK Papers Project Sermons: "Paul's Letter to American Christians."

A photograph of Dr. King being welcomed to Gloria Dei hangs in the hallway between the Sanctuary and the Gathering Place.