In the heart of Washington D.C., stood Saint Simons Church, a beacon of hope and community for African Americans between 1896 and 1964. Saint Simons Church wasn’t just a place of worship. It was a catalyst for education, social gatherings, and empowerment within the black community. Its presence drew a larger congregation, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose. The church school at Saint Simons flourished, paving the way for the establishment of the Croom Industrial and Agricultural Institute. This institute equipped “young colored men and women” with practical skills in scientific agriculture and household management, preparing them for gainful employment. Saint Simons Church also witnessed the leadership of various vicars who shaped its history. From 1904 to 1905, a graduate of Bishop Payne Divinity School served as vicar. He later became the Director of Branches of the NAACP in Delaware. Between 1921 and 1931, the vicar was a native of Barbados and an uncle to Pauli Murray. He was a Princeton Theological Seminary graduate. He oversaw not only Saint Simons, but also St. Philip’s of Aquasco and St. Mary’s of Charlotte Hall. From 1906 to 1908, the “minister in charge” of Saint Simons was a former minister from Good Shepherd in Montgomery, Alabama. Tragically, he lost his son and wife, both buried at the historic Saint Simons Cemetery. Deacon James Alvin Mayo became vicar in 1932 and was ordained a priest in 1933 at the young age of 24. He later moved on to become the Vicar of St. Monica’s in Washington D.C. From 1910 to 1915, a New Orleans native and graduate of Howard University and King Hall Theological Seminary served as vicar. He later established Calgary Episcopal Church in D.C. The last vicar of Saint Simons, from 1953 to 1964, was a Howard University Divinity School graduate from Jamaica. His son, Dr. Charles Shirley, became one of the first black doctors in Florida. Another son, Donald Shirley, became a renowned pianist featured in the movie “Greenbook.” Saint Simons Church stands as a testament to a vibrant community’s resilience, faith, and pursuit of a better future.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to