I was the first bride to be married in the brick structure of the Good Shepherd Church, after it was completed in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. F. Greene (white) married there during the work on

[View a full size image of this page.]

[View a double size image of this page.]

the church before it was completed. It was by the request of Rev. E.G. Weed that we were married there as my grandfather was Sexton of the Church and I being a member of the colored S.S. there, also organist, a regular visitor to the church and my husband had worked for the leading and near families of the church for a number of years. The Gardeners, Goulds, Smiths and Weeds. I am a member of the C.M.E. Church (Trinity) but my church was in the lower section of the city and from being so familiar with the Good Shepherd Church the leading families of the church, etc. we were made welcome there by the request of the Rector.

Many mornings after Sunday School I would remain to the eleven o'clock service, this I would always enjoy, the rich music, the beautiful singing by Misses Helen and Susie Conley,

[View a full size image of this page.]

[View a double size image of this page.]

and others, the splendid sermons by Rev. Weed, thro regular attendance and strict attention I was soon familiar with the order and rules of service. Then Grandmother and I would very often attend night service there. Mrs. Helen C. Dickey and her sister, Mrs. Susie C. Lanier, were two of the most lovely singers to be heard. Soprano and alto, the splendid voice of Rev. Weed would often be plainly heard when joining in with the choir.

The years in S.S. there will never be forgotten. Such splendid lessons from the catechism, leaflets, etc. and all well explained by the various teachers in their usual kind and pleasant manner of speaking. We had many different teachers - The late Dr. Edwd. Barry, Supt. assisted by Mrs.

[View a full size image of this page.]

[View a double size image of this page.]

Elizabeth Foster, Mrs. E.J. Weed, Miss Fannie Lagree, Misses Anna Gardener, Annie Adams, Mary Greene, The Fickey sisters. Music furnished by Mrs. Weed, Miss A. Montgomery, and Mary Greene, up to the time when I took the place as organist, up to the year of 1886, when I was compelled to resign on account of my little family and house-keeping. Yet I would attend the Church Service whenever convenient to do so.

My Grandfather was a member of the C.M.E. Church (Rock of Ages) But as he was sexton of the Good Shepherd Church, and most of his time was taken there, he decided to join there, as he could never be left to attend regular at his church, although he was faithful and made many contributions to aid the Rock of Ages and other Churches. He was buried from Good Shepherd Church, internment in colored

[View a full size image of this page.]

[View a double size image of this page.]

cemetery. John's Rd. The Hill.

Rev. or Bishop Weed, was a worthy man and showed many acts of kindness and Christianity all through life. He was generally philanthropical to all alike. He would invite and welcome you to his church, regardless of color or situation in life - He was faithful in visiting the poor as well as the rich. He would enter the poorest and most humble homes, would sit by the bedside of the sick and read the Bible, talk on religious subjects, kneel in prayer in the sick room, and give aid before leaving the house. These good deeds were also carried out by his wife - and will long be remembered by many.

Now one or many may think wonder or say why have I written so many times here in regards to the church of Good Shepherd, etc. What this is one or the main Churches that I was

[View a full size image of this page.]

[View a double size image of this page.]

first familiar with in my child-hood days. Trained up in this S.S. a regular visitor of this church, familiar with the church rules, and order of service. Had learned to love the Church from or by being connected with the S.S. for fifteen years and with a pleasant refined set of teachers. Also this being the church were I was married. And I will always hold a mark of respect and kind sentiment for this church. But at the same time will never forget my place or my race, and my own church (Trinity,) and others, where I am always made welcome, with the privilege of choosing or being seated in any part or pew of a colored church.

-----------------------------

(THREE HUNDRED IN BAPTISM) 1881

Just after a great revival at Trinity C.M.E. during the pastorate Rev. C.H. Collins, the above number of converts were baptized in one day in three services, morning, afternoon,

[View a full size image of this page.]

[View a double size image of this page.]

and night, and several were left over the large number for the next months baptism. The Church was then built in the old style way, with gallery or balcony all around and every seat were taken, with many standing. As Mr. Sam'l Harper, the regular organist was absent that day, I was asked to play for service. Certainly I felt somewhat embarrassed or incapable, to fill in this place of such a fine musician as Mr. Harper. But I managed to go through with it all - satisfactorily to the choir and the church. Then after I was proud to be able to do this little bit for the church - and at the invitation of Mr. Harper sometime later I was offered the position permanently, but could not accept as I lived out on the Hill and it was inconvenient for me to attend the regular services.

[View a full size image of this page.]

[View a double size image of this page.]

Proceed to the next section or Return to the Index