Latest news with #AMEChurch
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dedication ceremonies planned
The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative will host two dedication ceremonies in June, unveiling the historical markers indicating sites added to the National Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. They will be: -June 4, 10 a.m.: The Campbell House, 305 North Fifth St., Ironton. The house was a station for Underground Railroad operations in Lawrence County and the Campbells worked with other abolitionists to assist freedom seekers in the area. At 11:30 a.m., the ceremony moves to the African Methodist Church, 514 South Eighth St., Ironton. Known as Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the place of worship was founded by Retta and Gabe N. Johnson, who helped freedom seekers escape through the Hanging Rock Iron District. -June 8, 4 p.m.: Pleasant Green Baptist Church and Allen Chapel AME Church, both in Portsmouth. Pleasant Green Baptist Church is the Portsmouth's oldest active Black Baptist congregation, founded by formerly enslaved individuals and allies. Allen Chapel AME Church has roots tracing back to the pre-Civil War era; the church played a pivotal role in supporting freedom seekers in Portsmouth. As a central institution within the local Black community, the church's members, including John J. Minor and his wife, Martha Minor, Joseph Love, John Q. Weaver and his wife, Mary Weaver, demonstrated resilience and agency, actively participating in the Underground Railroad and leaving a legacy of courage and hope that continues to inspire future generations. The Network to Freedom program, created by Congress in 1998, highlights more than 800 places and programs and verifies that each one is a true story about the men, women and children who freed themselves or were helped by others to escape enslavement. The Network to Freedom program has listings in 41 states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. For more information, visit
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New memorial to tell the story of Fort Scott's first Black church
FORT SCOTT, Kan. — It's been more than 150 years since the church doors first opened. And even though that house of worship is no longer a part of the Fort Scott landscape, it's not forgotten. 'We're working on a project called a commemorative project for the Wayman AME Chapel Church,' said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director. It first opened for worship back in 1866, the first and oldest Black church in Fort Scott. Services started in a local home, later moving to the structure at Third and Lowman, according to Kirk Sharp. 'Frederick Douglass came to Fort Scott to speak on behalf of the AME Church at the opera house that was located here in Fort Scott. Booker T. Washington's nephew and successor Roscoe C. Simmons also spoke at the church. And also, Gordon Parks and his family were regular attendees and members of the church,' said Sharp. New memorial to tell the story of Fort Scott's first Black church Gordon Parks Museum Black History Month Presentation Freeman Health System hosts job fair to staff Fort Scott hospital School district warns parents of dangerous 'choking challenge' Electric vehicles could get more expensive to own in Kansas under new bill It's believed the church had its largest congregation in 1888. Those numbers would drop in later years. 'The church was condemned around 2000. And so we were very fortunate to have that donated to us.' The donation of that church site was given by former Fort Scott City Commissioner Josh Jones. Plans are underway for a memorial park. 'House six sign boards, storyboards. It's going to tell the history of the church, the connections, and also a timeline too. And also honor tribute to the past pastors that served the church. And we will have a welcome sign. It's going to be a part, not a playground, but more of a peaceful intervention to learn, educate, and for visitors to come and see,' said Sharp. Meanwhile, several pieces of the past are on display at the museum. 'Toys, watches, a lot of knickknacks, some dated to the 1800s, and we also were able to excavate some bricks and lumber and door knobs, all probably over 100 years old.' A collection that's growing—shedding more light on this key piece of the past. 'It's a wonderful way to help tell the story and keep the history alive,' said Sharp. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
07-02-2025
- General
- CBS News
Rev. Al Sharpton leads memorial service for Eaton Fire victims
Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton led a memorial service for Eaton Fire victims to call on leaders to support the historic Black neighborhoods in Altadena. Loved ones of the people who died during the fire expressed their grief and gratitude to the community gathered inside First AME Church in nearby Pasadena. "Everybody who's reached out and sent love, believe me, I heard you," Zaire Calvin said. "I appreciate you. I'm listening and I love you guys all." Calvin's 59-year-old sister Evelyn McClendon died in her home during the fire. Calvin was evacuating his baby and elderly mother when he separated from his sister, who lived next door. He and his cousin found her remains when they returned to the rubble. "I want to make sure my sister is honored the way she wanted to be honored," Calvin said. "She was a devout Christian who believed in Jesus Christ and praised and worshipped with her online community." Along with Calvin, Eric Nickerson spoke about his father, 83-year-old Rodney Nickerson. Eric said his father, an engineer and veteran, was proud to raise a family in Altadena. Rodney's grandfather founded Nickerson Gardens, the largest public housing community in Los Angeles. "We are here to unite as one," Eric said. "We will walk side-by-side. We will not walk behind each other. If someone needs to be pulled up, this is the time to do it." A recent study by UCLA found that Altadena's Black community was disproportionately affected by the Eaton Fire, which the study says exposed how decades of segregation and redlining practices left Black households more vulnerable. The report revealed that 61% of Black households in Altadena were located within the Eaton Fire perimeter. The study found that 48% of the homes were destroyed or sustained major damage. "These families need to be restored and there should not be bias between how you handle one side of victims and the other I come to stand with these families," Sharpton said. "They do not need to be replaced or displaced. They need to be back in their homes as it is." Some of the victims' families took legal action for their losses. "Our mother was love, light," Lisa Kelley said. "She loved her family, her friends and community. She helped anybody without being asked." Kelley's mother, 83-year-old Erliene Kelley was a retired pharmacist who took pride in her Altadena home. "I give my condolences to the other people who have lost their families," Kelley said. "But, we are Altadena strong and we will rebuild and we will be fine."
