At 2 p.m. Sunday the Jackson State University Gospel Choir will be the special guest for the Black History celebration at the Christian Hope Baptist Church.

This year’s theme is, “The Seasons of Our Journey.”

Jackson State University is located n Jackson. However, the school was first established here in Natchez on the site of the Charity Hospital on Cemetery Road. 

Jackson State University was founded Oct. 23, 1877 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. It was organized as Natchez Seminary for the purpose of educating Mississippi’s newly freed slaves. The American Home Mission Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College. The present campus was developed in 1902 and it became a state-supported school in 1940. On March 15, 1974, Jackson State was elevated to university status and in 1979 was designated the Urban University of the State of Mississippi.      

We hope that the community would consider coming to witness the voices of these students who will not only represent Christ, their homes but also a university with a rich history. We are proud to know that such a great university began in our city of Natchez. In the words of James Weldon Johnson, “Lift every voice and sing till earth and heaven ring, ring with harmony of liberty. …Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, sing a song, full of the hope that the present has brought us….”

There are a number of Jackson State alumni who live in the Natchez area Adrian Frisby is the president of the local chapter.  The chapter consists of approximately 80 members. There are also several JSU alumni who are well-known throughout the state, country and the world, as well, such as Dorothy Moore, Congressman Bennie Thompson, Actress-Tonea Stewart, the late Walter Peyton, actor- Morgan Freeman and Civil Rights Icon and Pioneer.

In addition to songs rendered by our guests, a media presentation will be featured that will chronicle the African American journey from Africa to the present-day.

Worship services will start at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning to allow a break between the two services. The Christian Hope BC; located at 301 LaSalle Street in Natchez.  Dinner will be served following the event in the fellowship hall. The time is set for 2 p.m. with the community in mind, not to interfere with the 11 a.m. worship hour. 

I, pastor John Scott and the Christian Hope B.C. family, invite the community to come and join us on this special occasion.

    

The Rev. John Scott,

pastor Christian Hope B.C., Natchez