The Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ celebrated its 190th anniversary Sunday. How fitting that a little baby, Xavier Joseph Hutcherson, was christened during the celebration.
What will life be like on the third planet from the sun 190 years from now for Xavier’s descendants?
That answer is of course not known/ But throughout the many remarks offered at Sunday’s celebration, the importance of linking the past, the present and future was a central theme.
Over 200 friends, family, church members and some lost sheep,joined in this historic time of celebration and recognition. A proclamation from Governor Rell was read by James Newton, establishing Dixwell Avenue Congregational Day. Other notable guest speakers included U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, State Sen. Toni Harp, Mayor John DeStefano, Deacon John C. Daniels, and former State Rep. William Dyson.
DeLauro reminded that gathering that in the early 18th century, America was still a brand new nation. She spoke of the baby nation’s post-birth struggle to resolve the issue of slavery. Concerns about freedom of worship and freedom of association led in 1820 to the church being established as the African Ecclessiastical Society by abolitionist Simeon Jocelyn and 24 former slaves. The Society met at various homes throughout the New Haven area until establishing itself in a building on Temple Street. (Click here to read about the congregation’s history.)
Tom Ficklin Photo
The church’s historian, Margo Taylor, was beaming Sunday. “I am so pleased at the support that we received,” she said, “and am so proud of our continual commitment to serve the community.”
Mayor DeStefano who arrived just shortly after the services had begun, from attending him home church of St. Thomas Moore, echoed the theme in his remarks. “Dixwell,” he said, “has been home to many and a home to New Haven.”
Toni Harp shared that one of her children had attended the Dixwell Creative Arts Center at the church, during the tenure of its longtime and legendary pastor, The Dr. Edwin Edmonds. Harp recalled Rev. Edmonds admonishing her son for a legitimate reason and her son’s attempt to evade responsibility. She shared this personal story to convey the nurturing spirit of the church and it’s leadership, now under the guiding hand of Rev. John Henry Scott lll.
“As you remember, colonization societies started at the same time of this church,” Bill Dyson said in his keynote. “One heck of a debate was going on in this country — whether they were going to remain here or to leave. … The Dixwell Church made the decision to remain.”
The 190th church anniversary continues in the spring, with a banquet on May 15, ‚at the Grassy Hill Country Club, featuring UCC President and General Minister Rev. Geoffrey Black. On May 16, Ted Kennedy Jr. will be the Sunday morning speaker.