HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-2017 Special Proclamation Honoring the Site of The First African-American Church in South Bend City of South Bend
Common Council
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South Bend,Indiana 46601-1830 Fax (574)235-9173
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Tim Scott http://www.southbendin.gov
President
Oliver Davis October 4, 2017
Vice-President
Gavin Ferlic South Bend Common Council
Chairperson,Committee 4th Floor, County-City Building
of the Whole South Bend, IN 466o1
Tim Scott
First District Re: Special Proclamation Honoring the Site of The FirstAfrican-
American Church in South Bend
Regina Williams Preston
Second District Dear Council Members:
Randy Kelly I am filing the attached Special Proclamation honoring the historic
Third District sanctuary at 310 W. Monroe Street as the site of the first African-
American Church in South Bend on its loo-year anniversary. I believe
Jo M. Broden
Fourth District that we, as a Council, should be proud to recognize this centennial
anniversary.
David Varner
Fifth District Thank you for your consideration.
Oliver Davis
Sixth District ly Yours,
Gavin Ferlic A
At Large
John Voorde
Regi Williams-Preston
At Large
Karen White
At Large
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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.
Tim Scott,lst District Oliver J.Davis,6th District
Regina Williams Preston,2nd District John Voorde,At Large
Randy Kelly,3rd District Gavin Ferlic,At Large
Jo M.Broden,41h District Karen L.White,At Large
Dr.David Varner,5,h District Robert Palmer,Council Attorney
Attest: Approved this Stn day of October, 2017
Kareemah N.Fowler,City Clerk Pete Buttigieg,Mayor of South Bend