Birmingham churches receive more than $2 million in funding to preserve history

This week will mark 60 years since four young girls were killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.As Birmingham commemorates this somber milestone, Rep. Terri Sewell presented two historic Birmingham churches with funding.Bethel Baptist Church and St. Paul United Methodist Church received more than $2.25 million in funding Monday. Sewell said these funds will go toward repairs and other projects."We owe it to our foremothers and our forefathers to preserve and protect their stories," Sewell said. "So that future generations can learn of their sacrifice."Sewell highlighted the roles these churches played in Birmingham's Civil Rights Movement. Inside St. Paul United Methodist, the representative said meetings were held to train non-violent protestors and organize the integration of Birmingham's buses.At Bethel Baptist, Sewell said the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth launched a protest movement to desegregate the United States and secure equal voting rights."If we don't tell our stories," Sewell said. "Others will, and they may not get it right."Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WVTM 13Sewell said the goal of this funding is to reverse decades of "disinvestment" in these communities.