STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The oldest African American Baptist church on Staten Island, St. Philips Baptist Church, a cornerstone of the Port Richmond community for 155 years, opened its doors on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to provide an early holiday dinner to Staten Islanders in need during the church’s annual Night of Serving.

The church’s community fellowship event attracted more than 150 visitors who enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal complete with all the traditional dishes.

The feast featured a variety of foods, much of which was donated and prepared by church members. The menu included turkey, ham, corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, mac and cheese, cornbread, and a wide assortment of desserts.

The day focused on partnership, with church parishioners volunteering to serve, clean and prepare meals for the event.

“Today exemplifies what ministry is all about. It’s meeting the needs of the community in which you serve, and we try our best to serve everybody,” said Rev. Dr. Tony Baker Sr., who has been the pastor of St. Philips Baptist Church for 30 years.

Baker explained, “We began planning for this, our 15th annual Night of Serving, more than two months ago. Every ethnicity, every gender, every race, whoever desires to have a Thanksgiving meal is welcome to this event.”

Members of the Staten Island Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, former State Senator Diane Savino, and Rev. Baker’s wife, Hyon, joined the church’s dedicated volunteers in serving meals.

Hanks shared that St. Philips Baptist Church was her childhood church. “Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it incorporates community food and fellowship, and St. Philip’s has always been that for me.”

“This is a church that has taught me about community, about faith, and about giving back. Sharing and breaking bread with the community is just an unbelievable experience. It’s a privilege and an honor, always,” added Hanks.

John Martin, a 73-year-old from Port Richmond, volunteered to work in the kitchen, cooking and preparing food.

He explained his motivation as “A second chance at life, which drives him to do his best.”

While he acknowledges that serving people can be frustrating, he ultimately finds it to be a good and rewarding experience to help his community.

Assemblymember Charles D. Fall, who stopped by to visit with guests and staff, said, “St. Philips Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Tony Baker, does incredible work for the community.”

Fall praised Baker by saying, “He’s a uniter, not a divider. He brings people together from all walks of life, and I think that’s what you see every single year at this event.”

St. George resident Elaine “Smittie” Smith, who turns 84 next week, was among those who volunteered at the event.

“To see people get to sit down and have a meal when you’re not sure if they would have gotten a meal is a blessing. It’s a blessing for us to see it, and it’s a blessing for them to receive it,” said Smith, who worked at the former Willowbrook State School for 30 years.

Savino, who was seen serving meals nonstop, hardly had time to speak with the Advance/SILive.com.

“For some of the people that came in today, this will really be the only Thanksgiving dinner that they will have,” Savino explained.

“I see the people that are coming in here, they’re from all walks of life, and different nationalities. This is not Port Richmond, this is Staten Island.

“Even though I’m no longer an elected official, I’m always coming back to help participate in this day of giving.”

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