February 11th 2024.
After a devastating fire nearly 30 years ago, the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Delaware County, Pennsylvania has been restored into a museum. This monumental event took place on February 3rd, and has since brought back Pandora Anderson Campbell, a former member of the church, to share her memories and emotions with CNN.
Campbell reminisced about the church being a central hub in the local community, a place where people would come to worship and enjoy homemade pies baked by her own grandmother. She described feeling the presence of the ancestors and the deep spiritual connection that she couldn't quite put into words. It was a place that held great significance to the community, with people from all over coming to attend services. The congregation was predominantly Black, and this was a source of pride for Campbell.
Lillian DeBaptiste, the Mayor-Elect of West Chester, shared similar sentiments. She described the church as a "little slice of heaven" and praised the hospitality of the community. In the African American tradition, there was not only a celebration of spirituality, but also of food. DeBaptiste fondly recalled the abundance of delicious food that was shared among the congregation.
The African Methodist Episcopal church was originally built in 1880 and served as a gathering place for farm workers and their families. However, as people began to move away in search of better job opportunities, the church was eventually abandoned in the 1980s and was later destroyed by fire.
Thankfully, the Township of Concord stepped in and purchased the property, determined to preserve this important piece of cultural history. After a decade of hard work and nearly $500,000, the Spring Valley African Methodist Episcopal church has been restored and reopened as an African-American history museum.
The historical society has taken further steps to protect the church by implementing the Concord Township Historic Preservation Ordinance. They have also begun collecting artifacts and creating new exhibits to display in the museum.
Campbell expressed her hopes that in the future, race will no longer be a divisive factor and that the museum will serve as a reminder of the importance of unity and celebrating our shared humanity. She believes that this story not only speaks to the spirit of the church, but also to its significance in the past and its potential impact in the future.
In light of recent events, the reopening of this church as a museum holds even greater significance. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the African American community, and the importance of preserving and sharing our history.
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