Feb. 25 was an evening to commemorate a longstanding part of Glencoe history, while also celebrating the start of a new era.
The Glencoe Historical Society, the Woman’s Library Club and the Glencoe Council for Inclusion and Community co-hosted a reception honoring the 140th anniversary of Glencoe’s St. Paul AME anniversary.
“It is really a treasure of our community and we hope it is something people will recognize,” GHS co-president Karen Ettelson said.
Amid the GHS exhibits and pictures illustrating the history of Glencoe’s Black residents, the event also served as a formal welcome for Reverend Celona Hayes, appointed as St. Paul AME’s pastor last October.
“It seemed like a wonderful way to introduce Pastor Hayes to Glencoe and to start getting the community aware the church is going to have a big celebration in August,” Ettelson said.
As she continues to familiarize herself with the community, Hayes spoke highly of the estimated 90 members who make St. Paul AME their religious home.
“They are very mature believers,” she said. “They are loving and accepting and they are a very hospitable group of people. They are welcoming as Christians.”
Ordained as an itinerant elder in 2017, Hayes previously served as the pastor at congregations in University Park and then an Albion, Michigan congregation from 2020 through 2023. Last October, she was assigned to Glencoe by the AME church, succeeding Pastor Katrese Kirk McKenzie.
Hayes acknowledged St. Paul AME faces some challenges. She noted parishioners are still dealing with the effects of social distancing and isolation from the coronavirus pandemic. She wants to get members back into the church’s Washington Avenue building, noting people may have become comfortable staying at home and watching services online.
“Reminding people that church is about community and understanding how God works in community,” Hayes said. “That personal touch is really what it means to be a Christian or to be a member of the body of Christ.”
Hayes said another issue for St. Paul is for members becoming active in the surrounding area given the aging population of its membership.
“The church is outside of the walls and we need to get out in the community as one body and one faith and be unified,” she said. “The issue is do we have the strength and physical ability in some respects.”
With that in mind, she wants to see youth get involved and engaged.
“They are the 21st century church,” she said.
Hayes, who likes to spend time outdoors, will continue her daily job as the civil prosecutor for Gary, IN and will travel up to Glencoe from her Forest Park residence for church-related events.
While the AME church often re-assigns pastors after two or three years, Hayes hopes St. Paul AME will be her home for quite some time.
“I hope to stay there,” she said. “I do enjoy the members of the church.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
