Liverpool church reflects on vision 50 years after King's 'I have a dream' speech

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. acknowledges the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial for his 'I Have a Dream' speech during the March on Washington in this Aug. 28, 1963 file photo. (AP)

A Liverpool church is inviting people to reflect on their vision for the city 50 years after Martin Luther King made his 'I have a dream' speech in Washington DC.

King made the iconic speech before more than a quarter million people at the Lincoln Memorial on 28 August 1963.

St James in the City, Liverpool, is holding a special service this Sunday with the civil rights campaigner's speech as its main theme.

The service will be joined by Gee Walker of the Anthony Walker Foundation, the Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, and the Director of National Museums Liverpool David Fleming.

They will make their own version of the speech during the service and elaborate on their dreams for the city.

People will also have the chance to hear the original speech by King and think about its relevance today, as well as offer their thoughts on their hopes and dreams for their loved ones, the city and the world.

The Reverend Neil Short from St James in the City said: "50 years on, Martin Luther King's speech is highly relevant. One of the biggest issues we face today is lack of hope.

"We need a dream. Without a dream the people perish. We need bold leaders and bold dreams and this service is about inspiring us all to think big and to have, in the words of Martin Luther King 'the audacity to believe'."