Rededication of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Land
Sat, Jun 19
|PPG Paints Arena Parking Lot South
Worship in solidarity with our Black neighbors who are seeking reparations for the theft and destruction of their church building and property.
Time & Location
Jun 19, 2021, 12:00 PM
PPG Paints Arena Parking Lot South, Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
About the Event
In the 1950's, the Urban Redevelopment Authority seized the property belonging to Bethel AME and destroyed their church building to make way for the Civic Arena (since demolished and replaced by the PPG Paints Arena). This was devastating to this Black church which, among other things, had participated in the Underground Railroad and campaigned for voting rights for Black men and later for women. Read more here.
Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team is redeveloping the area, Bethel AME is seeking reparations by having the original property returned in order to build a new community center and sanctuary and to develop low-income and middle-income housing.
On June 19 at noon, Bethel AME is hosting a special outdoor worship service on the original property to rededicate the land and you are invited to attend in solidarity! Pastor Mike will be reading the gospel lesson during the service.