11-2017 Special Proclamation Honoring the Site of The First African-American Church in South Bend

Home Browse Search

45pu t'H d� O p i v o PLACE *. 1865 ` SPECIAL PROCLAMATION NO. A SPECIAL PROCLAMATION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,INDIANA,PUBLICLY RECOGNIZING THE 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE HISTORIC SANCTUARY AT 310 W. MONROE STREET AS THE SITE OF THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCH IN SOUTH BEND G*)9 , African-Americans have been on the frontlines of the struggle for freedom and equality throughout American history, the Black church offered not just spiritual, religious, and material sustenance to African-American communities but as an organizing and often political force, proved to be central to the very survival of the African-American people and the endurance of their culture and traditions. GAX , in 1870, Reverend John Bundy organized Olivet A. M. E. Church and established it as the first African-American church in South Bend. The sanctuary was erected at 310 W. Monroe St. As the center social, religious, and political life of the City's Black Community, the church placed great emphasis on the religious and social improvement of local Black residents. G , after almost 50 years, the original structure was replaced by the current sanctuary built on the same site and dedicated February 4, 1917. The new edifice served as the House of Worship for the Olivet African Methodist Church until 1969 when it was sold to James and Bonnie Baxter who boarded up the stained glass windows and opened Southhold Dance Center. In 1981, the building was restored to a place of worship when it was sold to the Greater Tabernacle Christian Church and later leased to Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Ohm, the future of this historic sanctuary came into question when in 1986, it was purchased by South Bend's Redevelopment Commission as part of a land acquisition for construction of a minor league baseball stadium. As current occupants, Reverend Robert Howard Derrickson, President of the Ministerial Alliance, and Pastor of the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, understood the historical significance of the site and was determined to protect the legacy that was indeed the physical roots of the Black Church in South Bend. Gam, Zion Hill purchased their Sanctuary from the South Bend Redevelopment and paid the Church's mortgage in full two years after the death of Pastor Robert H. Derrickson. In 2007, his son, Reverend Chris Derrickson, became Pastor of Zion Hill continuing the work of his Father's Ministry but making a mark of his own. Under the Leadership of Pastor C. Derrickson, Zion Hill renewed the tradition of service when they started serving breakfast for people in need in the surrounding community and maintained its status as headquarters to the South Bend Chapter of the international Civil Rights Organization, Rainbow Push. OX", today we celebrate the legacy and history of the sanctuary at 310 W. Monroe Street as it stands in its centennial year as a physical representation of the roots of the Black Church and African American history in South Bend. As Olivet is the mother Church, 310 W. Monroe Street is the cradle, of Pilgrim Baptist Church, Greater St. John, First A.M.E. Zion, and other congregations continuing the legacy of service for African Americans in South Bend. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, publicly recognizes the 100 year anniversary of the historic sanctuary at 310 W. Monroe St. as the site of the first African American Church in South Bend. Section II. This proclamation shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor.