The Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church has been selected to receive recognition as a “Louisiana State Historical Site” under the Louisiana Historical Marker Program, church member Gloria Kates announced this week.

Louisiana state law authorizes the Louisiana Department of Transportation to erect suitable points selected by the Louisiana Tourism Development Commission — bronze markers denoting and describing locations and occasion of historical interest. The Louisiana Historical Marker Program commemorates facts, persons, events, and places prominently identified with the history of the nation, state, or region.

Kates said that the proposed marker script was reviewed by the administrator of the marker program with the Louisiana Office of Tourism, and was verified and edited by the Louisiana State University Department of History. The location was approved by the Office of Tourism’s Development Commission.

Kates noted that the church was formed in 1927, and therefore its place in history has enabled it as a turning point in local, state, and American history. Today, Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church continues its tradition of community support under the leadership of its pastor, Dr. Raymond E. Mims Sr.

In 2012, the church was added to the Louisiana African-American Historical Trail, which is a cultural heritage trail with 26 sites designated by the state of Louisiana. The AAHT program members are selected based on their ability to provide visitors to the state of Louisiana the opportunity to discover, learn about, and celebrate places of memory and significance related to Louisiana’s African-American culture and history.

“God is given the glory for this next phase of recognition for GEBC, which required a different criteria and board selection under the aforementioned state statute, as well as specified documentation to support the accuracy of the facts contained within the suggested script,” Kates said.

The celebration of this nomination and the unveiling of the marker will be commemorated at the upcoming 90th church anniversary, which will be Sunday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m. at the church, located at 1104 Poplas St. in Bogalusa.