Finding Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta: Exact Location, Parking, and Visitor Tips
If you’re trying to visit Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta—whether for worship, a historic tour, or to explore the King legacy—the good news is that it’s centrally located and easy to find once you know the basics.
Where Is Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta?
Ebenezer Baptist Church is located in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood, just east of Downtown.
- Street Address (Historic & Horizon Sanctuary Campuses):
407 Auburn Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30312
This address places the church within the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, a major historic district that includes the Martin Luther King Jr. birth home, the King Center, and other civil rights landmarks.
You’ll often hear people distinguish between:
- Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church – the original sanctuary where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. co-pastored with his father.
- Ebenezer Baptist Church at the Horizon Sanctuary – the larger, modern worship center used for most current services.
Both are located along Auburn Avenue NE, just a short walk from each other and from the King Center.
What Part of Atlanta Is Ebenezer Baptist Church In?
Ebenezer sits in the Sweet Auburn area, an important historic Black business and cultural district. It’s:
- East of Downtown Atlanta
- North of I-20
- Between Edgewood Avenue and John Wesley Dobbs Avenue, running along Auburn Avenue NE
If you know Atlanta neighborhoods:
- It’s just east of the Downtown connector (I‑75/85)
- A short drive from Georgia State University and Downtown attractions
- Close to the Old Fourth Ward and Edgewood entertainment areas
For many locals, the church is considered part of the broader Old Fourth Ward/Sweet Auburn historic core.
Getting to Ebenezer Baptist Church: Transportation Options
Whether you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting, you have several ways to reach Ebenezer.
By Car
Because the church is close to downtown, the simplest driving routes usually involve I‑75/85:
From Downtown / Midtown:
- Head east toward the Old Fourth Ward / Sweet Auburn area.
- Use Freedom Parkway or surface streets like Edgewood Ave SE or Auburn Ave NE.
- Look for signs for MLK Jr. National Historical Park.
From I‑75/85 North or South:
- Exit near Freedom Parkway / John Lewis Freedom Parkway.
- Follow signs directing you toward the King Historic District.
- Turn onto Boulevard NE or nearby streets to access Auburn Avenue.
Because streets in this area can be one-way and sometimes congested, many locals rely on GPS navigation to handle the final turns around Auburn Ave NE and Jackson St NE.
By MARTA (Public Transit)
MARTA is a convenient option, especially if you’re staying downtown or near a rail line.
Closest MARTA rail stations:
- King Memorial Station (Blue/Green Line) – often the most convenient
- Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold Line) – good if you’re downtown and open to a 15–20 minute walk or a short rideshare
From King Memorial Station:
- Walk northwest along Decatur St SE.
- Head north toward Auburn Ave NE and the MLK Jr. National Historical Park.
- The walk is roughly 10–15 minutes, depending on your pace.
Many visitors also combine MARTA with a short rideshare to be dropped off directly on Auburn Ave NE near the church.
By Walking or Biking
From Downtown Atlanta, Ebenezer is walkable for many people:
- From near Georgia State University, expect about a 15–20 minute walk.
- The route typically follows Edgewood Ave or Auburn Ave NE eastward.
The area is also part of a growing network of bike lanes and paths, and it connects reasonably well to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail via surface streets for more experienced urban cyclists.
Parking Near Ebenezer Baptist Church
Parking experiences can vary depending on the day and time, especially on Sundays or during major events.
Common Parking Options
- Church-affiliated parking areas near the Horizon Sanctuary and historic church
- Street parking around Auburn Ave NE and nearby cross streets (where permitted)
- Public or private lots in the King Historic District / Old Fourth Ward area
Because parking rules and availability can change, many people:
- Arrive early for Sunday services or special events
- Use rideshare to avoid parking stress
- Check posted street signs carefully for time limits or restrictions
Quick Location and Access Overview
Here’s a simple summary to keep the key details straight:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Ebenezer Baptist Church (Historic & Horizon Sanctuary) |
| City & Neighborhood | Atlanta, Georgia – Sweet Auburn / King Historic District |
| Street Address | 407 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 |
| Nearby Landmark Area | Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park |
| Closest Interstate | I‑75/85 (Downtown Connector) |
| Closest MARTA Station | King Memorial (Blue/Green Line) |
| Typical Access Methods | Car, MARTA + short walk, walking from Downtown, rideshare |
Historic Church vs. Current Worship Campus
When people ask, “Where is Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta?”, they sometimes mean slightly different things.
Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church
- Located along Auburn Ave NE within the King Historic District
- Best known as the church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as co-pastor
- Often included as part of visits to the MLK Jr. National Historical Park
This sanctuary is primarily a historic site, and general public access is often organized through the park service and heritage programming in the area.
Ebenezer Baptist Church at the Horizon Sanctuary
- Also along Auburn Ave NE, close to the historic building
- Designed for current worship services, programs, and community events
- Used by congregation members for regular church life, including Sunday services and weekday activities
If you’re attending worship rather than a historic tour, this is usually where you’ll go.
What’s Around Ebenezer Baptist Church?
Because of its central location in Atlanta, Ebenezer is surrounded by important community, historic, and cultural sites that many visitors combine in one trip.
Nearby points of interest include:
- The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center)
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birth Home (on Auburn Ave)
- Historic Fire Station No. 6 (part of the King Historic District)
- King Jr. National Historical Park Visitor Center
- Portions of the Sweet Auburn commercial corridor, with small shops, eateries, and neighborhood landmarks
All of these are within a short walking distance of the church and are laid out in a way that makes a half-day or full-day visit very feasible for both residents and tourists.
Tips for Visiting Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta
If you’re heading there for the first time, a few practical points can make the trip smoother:
Plan for traffic:
The Downtown Connector and surrounding streets can be busy, especially during rush hours, major events, or Sunday mornings.Build in extra time:
If you’re attending a service or program, arrive 15–30 minutes early to handle parking, walking, and security or check-in steps if any are in place.Check schedules in advance:
Service times, special programs, and access to historic spaces can change. Locals usually confirm details directly with the church or through official information sources before heading out.Dress and prepare appropriately:
The area is walkable, so comfortable shoes are helpful, especially if you plan to explore the broader King Historic District before or after your visit.
If You’re Using GPS or Rideshare
When entering information into a navigation app or rideshare service, use:
- “Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312”
Most apps recognize both the historic church and the Horizon Sanctuary as separate points, but using the full address for Auburn Avenue helps avoid confusion with other churches named “Ebenezer” in the broader metro area.
In summary, Ebenezer Baptist Church is on Auburn Avenue NE in the Sweet Auburn / King Historic District, just east of Downtown Atlanta, with easy access by car, MARTA, rideshare, or a short walk from nearby areas. Knowing the exact address, nearby MARTA station, and surrounding landmarks will make your visit significantly easier, whether you’re a local or seeing it for the first time.