Bicentennial series to feature program on African American churches Wednesday at JWCC

QUINCY — The Bicentennial Speaker Series, co-sponsored by the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County and John Wood Community College, continues over the summer with programs beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month.

The Rev. Orville Jones will present “African American Churches of Adams County” in the Mary Ellen Orr Auditorium on the John Wood Community College campus, 1301 S. 48th, on Wednesday, June 11. It is open to the public free of charge.

Jones is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Quincy, where he is serving his 38th year. His presentation will focus on the establishment and growth of Adams County’s African American churches.

“I plan to address the history of African Americans in early Quincy, beginning with the Bethel AME Church,” Jones said in a press release. “I will address how the First Baptist Church came to be organized, including some of the names of the church and a few of its pastors, along the journey of our history. The Union Baptist Church and Pilgrim Baptist (now the Cathedral of Worship) are daughter churches of FBC.”

Jones has asked the pastors of these and other churches to present their church histories and current information on the scope of their ministries. Most will have pictures and materials for attendees to view. He will include a brief informational moment on Father Augustus Tolton.

Audience members are invited to the Historical Society’s visitors center, 425 S. 12th, at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 12, for a “Brew and Review” session where they can discuss the program and enjoy coffee and donuts courtesy of the Historical Society.