STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — More than 150 people gathered at Rossville AME Zion Sunday for worship, music and a spirited celebration, as members of the historic church and residents of its surrounding communities gathered for rejoicing with “Family & Friends.”
Former church ushers and friends for over 20 years were reunited at the event. From left, Greg Taylor Jr., Stefan Barone and James Heyward pose with their sons. (Courtesy of Yvette Jordan)(Courtesy of Yvette Jordan)
“We focused on the celebration of our historical roots, while looking forward to what Rossville AME Zion Church has to offer our community and the connections it continues to make,” noted church member Yvette Jordan, who also serves as the chairperson of Rossville AME Zion’s board of trustees.
Rossville AME Zion Church was founded in May 1849 by Virginia-born African Methodist Episcopal Zion minister William H. Pitt. The church is part of Staten Island’s Sandy Ground, which is the nation’s oldest free Black settlement still inhabited by descendents of the original settlers.
The annual “Family & Friends” event, which was created by the Rev. Wallace Lee in 1968, is now in its 55th year and was live-streamed so that out-of-state church members could also attend. According to Jordan, the purpose of the day is to “honor our ancestors, celebrate our strength and witness the growth in the community through our ability to connect people to faith — which is our mission.”
The day’s events were organized by a group of committed members led by Sister Janise LaBoard-Casimir, who also delivered the morning message from Deuteronomy 10:11-13 about “Moving out of the Wilderness.” The Rev. Charles Washington, a lifelong Staten Islander, was welcomed as the church’s new pastor.
MORE ON SANDY GROUND
Who will step up in fight to save our nation’s oldest free Black settlement?
Rebuilding Sandy Ground: A summer reunion sparked the drive to revitalize
The Great Fire of 1963 was disastrous for Sandy Ground; the ensuing blows continued the devastation
Siblings warmly recall Sandy Ground’s 1950s ‘golden age’ — the historic community’s heyday