Pastor of King’s Old Church Sees Spirit Lost

The pastor of the church where Martin Luther King Jr. rose to national prominence has decided to retire, complaining that the congregation is losing the spirit that helped bring about social change.

The Rev. G. Murray Branch, 74, said he will step down as pastor of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church on June 30 and return to Atlanta, where he taught for many years at a seminary.

“I’m a little weary,” he said. “But the main reason I’m leaving is there has been a demand on the church--an increase in service--but participation has declined.”