READING, Pa. \u2013 One of the oldest churches in Reading reflects on its rich history this Black History Month,<\/p>\n
“What makes this place special in the ministry here is number one, God first. Number two, the people,\u201d said Alicia Snead, the pastor at the Washington Presbyterian Church.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a place with over 200 years of service.<\/p>\n
“It’s always been family oriented. It’s been Christian based, and it’s been a love for the church and to grow in worship, compassion, devotion and the spirit of God,\u201d said Alexis Green, an elder at the Washington Presbyterian Church.<\/p>\n
The church on North 10th Street in Reading is one of the oldest historic Black churches in the city.<\/p>\n
“We were established in 1823 as a Sunday school to basically educate the Black community,\u201d Green said. “We were located at Mulberry and Washington streets, and we started out as a log cabin.”<\/p>\n
The church relocated to its current space in the 1960s.<\/p>\n
“Every day when I walk through these doors, I just thank God that we’re here to make a difference in our communities,\u201d Snead said.<\/p>\n
The church has changed its name several times, but its mission has remained the same: service, connection and community.<\/p>\n
“We’ve had this family quilt on our wall, and there are so many families that have been connected to this church throughout the years,\u201d Green said. \u201cThat’s our history on a quilt.”<\/p>\n
The church is part of her own history, too.<\/p>\n
“These were all people that just inspired me and gave me so much love here, and they just helped me grow from a young child to the person that I am today, and I can never, ever give them enough gratitude,\u201d Green said.<\/p>\n
With welcoming doors to worship on Sundays and teaching the youth, it\u2019s more than just a building.<\/p>\n
“Walk through these doors, and you will feel the spirit,\u201d Green said. \u201cThat’s all I have to say.”<\/p>\n