While at Boston University, King met Coretta Scott, an Alabama native who was studying voice at the New England Conservatory of Music. After overcoming resistance from “Daddy” King, who had expected his son to choose an Atlantan as his bride, the couple married in June 1953.

King began looking for employment opportunities in academia and in the ministry during his third year in Boston and was invited to preach trial sermons at several churches, including the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. The youthful King captivated the Dexter congregation when he preached there in January 1954, and in April he agreed to accept the church’s pastorship, following completion of his doctoral coursework. King delivered his first sermon as resident pastor there on September 5, 1954. The Kings welcomed their first child, Yolanda, in November 1955.