March 22-28, 2025
“History has two legs.” So says high school teacher and Birmingham, Alabama historian
Barry McNealy. “One is behind us; it’s where we’ve been. The other is in front of us; it’s where we’re going. But if we shoot out that back leg—in other words, if we don’t know our history—then we can’t move forward.” History has two legs. We need them both. If we ever hope to move forward together as a country, as a people, then we need to know our history.
Welcome to the 2025 Civil Rights Pilgrimage sponsored by Eureka Christian Church.
Through this pilgrimage, we will learn about our civil rights history in a hands-on, visceral
way. We will be where it happened—walking in the footsteps, hearing first-person accounts,
seeing, learning, stretching, growing. “We are our history,” James Baldwin says. Only too
many of us are ignorant about our history. Let’s change that! Come along with us!
On our pilgrimage, we hope to include: a Soul of America tour in Nashville, Tennessee; stops at
the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham, Alabama; visits to the
Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice in
Montgomery, Alabama; and a guided tour around Selma which includes walking across the
Edmund Pettus Bridge. These destinations are subject to availability; final itinerary may vary.
Cost is $1800 per person for a single room and $1500 per person for a double room. This
includes transportation, lodging, activity fees, all breakfasts and four dinners. Lunches and
two dinners are on your own. As of April 9, we have room for 8 more participants. Registration will remain open until the trip is full.
A $200 deposit is required at the time of registration to secure your place. Half of the remaining balance is due August 1, and the final payment is due December 2. Additional registration forms are available in the church office or online at www.eurekachristian.org. Scholarship assistance is available. Required preparation for this experience will include several book and movie discussions. See here for the discussion schedule.
