Rocki Hunter is a lifelong member of Glencoe’s St. Paul AME Church and the congregation’s 140th anniversary represents a massive accomplishment on many levels.
“It is really a reflection of the power of community of coming together and resilience,” Hunter said. “Not many things exist for 140 years, let alone a small, historically Black church in a non-historically Black community.”
On a warm August 3 evening, a crowd of roughly 120 people arrived at the Glencoe Historical Society commemorating the 140th birthday of the church located on Washington Avenue.
Hunter referenced some of the hard times the congregation has endured including arsonists burning down the first building in 1930s. Yet in 2024, St. Paul AME remains part of Glencoe’s tapestry.
“The fact that Black people 140 years ago were able to come together and create this safe space and then be embraced by the community and support it throughout the years through arson, rebuilding and ups and downs,” she said. “It is a testament to the power of love in our community and also the power of this Glencoe community and the acceptance of this community.”
Hunter spoke at a party highlighted by a dinner, cake cutting, along with music and dancing. Comedian David Little told jokes and John Wesley pumped up the crowd with his saxophone.
The diversity of the crowd – which included many past and present Glencoe village officials – thrilled longtime member Mildred Shepherd.
“You see all these different nationalities and colors coming together,” Shepherd marveled. “Martin Luther King would be dancing in his grave.”
A section of the evening’s program included Love In Action awards for their impact on the community. Both St. Paul AME member Effie Rankin and the GHS were saluted for their work on the ongoing GHS Black Heritage exhibit and Village Trustee Hilary Scott honored for efforts on the Glencoe Council for Inclusion and Community.
Scott, who is white, said she occasionally worships at St. Paul AME.
“I don’t look like everyone else but there is such a spirit of inclusion and joy and love,” she said.
Since last October, Reverend Celona Hayes Adebayo has served as St. Paul’s pastoral leader. She acknowledges she is still “getting up to speed” in Glencoe, but her initial impressions are very favorable.
“It is a community that really likes to worship and they are engaged in Biblical pursuits and their personal growth in Christ,” Hayes said.
Like many congregations of all denominations, St. Paul faces membership challenges. There are about 100 members today according to officials.
Hayes recognizes the changes and tries to adapt.
“The world is becoming more and more secular. It’s not my job to stop that,” she said. “My main job is to present some hope to people.”
As people gathered at round tables to have dinner on the festive evening, Keyatta Wilson – another longtime member – spoke of a common sense of affection of the congregation.
“We take care of each other,” Wilson said. “When something goes wrong that is when we come together.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
