On July 28, Johns Memorial, Farmville, was one of four churches that took part in the 50th anniversary commemoration of the “Kneel-In” that took place in Farmville
On Sunday, July 28, 1963, just
one month before the March on Washington and Dr. King’s I Have A Dream speech,
over two dozen local students were arrested for attempting to desegregate
downtown Farmville churches. That day, a mass meeting of nearly five hundred
people was held at First Baptist Church. After the meeting, various small
groups fanned out to integrate several downtown churches. A group of seven to
eight were admitted inside Johns Memorial, sitting with Dr. C.G. Gordon Moss
(consequently, Moss was stripped of his church officership). Another group was
denied entrance to Farmville United Methodist. After being denied entrance to
Farmville Baptist, the group proceeded to pray and sing hymns on the church
steps and was ultimately arrested for “disturbing the public worship of God.”
Fifty years to the date, these
churches -- now integrated -- came together to honor these unsung local Civil
Rights heroes. Approximately 150 people took part in a walking tour between
four nearby churches — First Baptist, Farmville Baptist, Farmville United
Methodist and Johns Memorial. The four-church program and walking tour retraced
the steps of the 1963 student activists, beginning inside First Baptist Church.
Reflections, prayers and remarks were offered at each site.
A statement from the Vestry was read at
Johns Memorial : “We, the members of Johns Memorial Episcopal Church, confess
with profound regret and Christian sorrow that our church participated in the
complex webs of racism that gripped this community fifty years ago and since …
Insofar as our brothers and sisters, especially our African American brothers
and sisters, were harmed educationally, socially, and spiritually we wish to
say that we are sorry and ask pardon, although we recognize that no pardon is
deserved.” Click here to read the entire statement.
“The 50th anniversary program not only
commemorates the event,” said Dr. Michael Utzinger, “but acknowledges the
positive potential that persons of faith can have to promote racial
reconciliation in our community.” Utzinger is a member of Johns Memorial and
Hampden-Sydney College religion professor.
