I am honoring the Valley's African-American Churches this month.  We are blessed with many churches who are celebrating 150 year anniversaries.  Knowing that they started just after the end of the Civil War and are still active today is very reassuring. It speaks to the strength of faith and love of god and family.  I am ever inspired by the words I hear from our Pastors.  The intelligence in interpretation and communication is inspiring.  They make us think and challenge us to be better people.  But it is the chapels that have been the rocks of their community, have seen so much and remind us of those that have gone before.  When you pass a little chapel think of it's history, it's joys, not just the struggles and rejoice in it's strength. 

Some Of  Our Shenandoah Valley Churches

"No Turning Back" A Sermon by Rev. Harold L. Brown, Sr. 
of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Front Royal, Virginia

This is the sermon that the wonderful Reverend Harold L. Brown, Sr. delivered as a part of our show, "Zenda's Homecoming".

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"Sunday is the most segregated day of the week."  

            It has been through my helping local families with their family trees,  that I have been able to truly understand how far we, white americans, have to go.  We have always said "Come to us - our schools, work etc."  It is time for us to "go to the table".  Go to a local traditional black church service and sit in an all or almost all black congregation. ( Before you know it you will be talking with someone and making a new friend.)  Being in the minority - is an experience that most white america hasn't experienced but it is the "norm" for our black friends.   
              As Dr. Maya Anglelou said "We are more similar then different."  

Saint John's Baptist Church in Salem, VA.  

www.valleyblackheritage.org;  Director (540 746-2088), directormlr@valleyblackheritage.org;  Mailing address: SVBHP, 425 Hill St., Harrisonburg, VA 22802
​EIN 81-1709430