Black Mega Church Turns 200

“Abyssinian 200 is a milestone that represents the continuous role of the African-American church as a galvanizing force in the building of beloved communities,” said Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, pastor of Abyssinian. “Through spiritual edification, social justice, political activism, and economic empowerment, The Abyssinian Baptist Church and all churches doing similar work have been sustained leaders of spiritual transformation in the context of real world issues. These issues include housing, education, culture and the arts, family tradition, and ownership of capital.”

Abyssinian will also partner with some of the country’s most influential historical and cultural institutions for Abyssinian 200. All will support the bicentennial by presenting and participating in lectures, exhibits, tours, youth-focused programs and other events throughout the celebration period.

Featured Abyssinian 200 celebration activities include:

•Ethiopia Pilgrimage: Abyssinian 200 will reach across borders with a pilgrimage to Ethiopia (the native land of Abyssinian’s founding fathers). Coinciding with Ethiopia’s millennium celebration, the journey will provide an opportunity to tour major attractions of the country as well as engage key Ethiopian officials in a cultural, socio-economic and educational dialogue.

•Jazz at Lincoln Center Performance: A first-time collaboration featuring the Jazz at
Lincoln Center Orchestra, Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III and a mass choir premiering Wynton Marsalis’ penned mass for Abyssinian 200.

•Theme Song: Legendary duo Ashford & Simpson will compose an original song in recognition of Abyssinian 200.

•Published Book: Dr. Maya Angelou and Dr. Cornel West will contribute to "WITNESS: Two Centuries of African American Faith and Practice at The Abyssinian Baptist Church of Harlem, New York" – an exhaustive history of Abyssinian published by Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. and co-authored by three independent scholars: Dr. Quinton H. Dixie, Professor of Philosophy, Indiana University-Purdue University; Dr. Genna Rae McNeil, Professor of History, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and Dr. Houston Roberson, Professor of History, Sewanee University of the South.

•Schomburg Center Exhibition: Tracing the significant role Abyssinian has played in the history of New York City, an exhibit will be mounted at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture – featuring artifacts, photographs and memorabilia from Abyssinian's own archive collection, including 19th & 20th century items of Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. & Jr.

•StoryCorps Oral-History Project: In celebration of the bicentennial, Abyssinian has partnered with StoryCorps, the national oral-history project (in partnership with the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture). Through this partnership, the many stories of Abyssinian will be documented and preserved for generations to come.

•White-Tie Gala: A formal banquet in New York City. Invitees include a number of elected officials, dignitaries and other celebrities in recognition of Abyssinian’s significance to the global community.

•Black-Tie Gala: Abyssinian marks the bicentennial with a formal black-tie and auction in New York City for the Abyssinian congregation and community supporters.

The celebration will also include a CD featuring the Abyssinian Choir and special guests performing live, new music, as well as the unveiling of a specially commissioned abstract painting titled “Til Now We Stand at Last” by Harlem artist Dianne Smith and inspired by Abyssinian 200.

“I am blessed to be a part of this historic celebration of 200 years of love and service enacted by the great Abyssinian Baptist Church,” said Dr. Cornel West, Professor of Religion and African-American Studies at Princeton University. “This church represents the best of the human spirit and the spiritual strivings of a dignified and determined black people.”

For more information about the Abyssinian 200 bicentennial celebration, visit www.abyssinian200.org.

About The Abyssinian Baptist Church
Abyssinian is one of the oldest African-American institutions impacting the cultural landscape of America, the oldest African-American Baptist church in New York State, and the nation’s first mega-church. Since its founding in 1808, Abyssinian’s dynamic leadership – including Reverend Adam Clayton Powell Sr., Congressman, Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Dr. Samuel D. Proctor – have guided Abyssinian as an iconic champion of social justice for positive reform.

Today, Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III leads the church and is dedicated to increasing community development initiatives, including homelessness, senior citizen and youth empowerment, cultural awareness, and ecumenical outreach. Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC), founded within The Abyssinian Baptist Church, is a community-based not-for-profit organization responsible for more than $500 million in housing and commercial development in Harlem. For more information, visit www.abyssinian.org.