A citadel of freedom, Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, is known across the world for its role in the 1965 voting rights marches.

The church served as a meeting place and will honor Foot Soldiers from the marches during Brown Chapel’s 149th Annual Founders Day.

On Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1:30 p.m., the church will recognize unsung heroes of the movement with medallions of honor and commendations from U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell.

“In celebration of our annual founders day, the members of the Brown Chapel Church pause to pay honor to the thousands of foot soldiers — our unsung heroes who made so many sacrifices,” said Nancy Sewell, a member of Brown Chapel and event chairwoman. “We know that there are thousands of nameless unsung heroes. We’re trying to give credit to who credit is deserved.”

The Rev. Agnes Lover, pastor of Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church in Prattville, will serve at the guest speaker.

Lover received her masters of divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She was ordained an itinerant deacon in 2004 and then to the order of itinerant elder in 2006.

In 2010, she was appointed the first female pastor of Greater St. Paul A.M.E. Church.

Lover will deliver a speech to compliment the honors that the Foot Soldiers will receive.

“Brown Chapel, being the icon of the movement, we are pulling together so many things for the 50th anniversary,” Sewell said. “It dawned on us that we need to do something for the unsung heroes — those that have given so much and sacrificed so much. Their names are not in the neon signs. Their names are not in the newspaper. [They’re] the average person, who gave of themselves, who sacrificed and got out there and marched and put their lives on the line so that we can have our right to vote.”

As Founders’ Day co-chairwoman and longtime member of Brown Chapel, Frances Headen said she is looking forward to the ceremony.

“It means a lot,” Headen said. “It’s just an honor for me to be a part of that and really to honor those that were here during [the marches].”

Church pastor Leodis Strong said it’s a great feeling to be able to honor the men and women behind the movement.

“To recognize Foot Soldiers, people who were directly responsible for the day-to-day sacrifices and the day–to-day successes, it’s something that is overdue and yet it’s something that ought not to be overlooked right now when we celebrate the jubilee,” Strong said. “Without their efforts and their sacrifices, we would not have what we have.”