Momentous Happenings at Monumental

Guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Marvin A. McMickle

Children of Monumental Baptist Church Music Ministry

L-R: Charles Mapson, Adrian Council and First Lady Shirley Mapson

For 196 years, Monumental Baptist Church in Philadelphia PA has served its faith community. On Sunday, November 13, 2022, the stalwart institution celebrated the 35th Pastoral Anniversary of Rev. Dr. J. Wendell Mapson Jr. During the morning service, guest preacher Rev. Dr. Marvin A. McMickle, retired pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland, OH, led the congregation in thanks for the continued service of Rev. Dr. Mapson and First Lady Shirley D. Mapson. During a pre-anniversary service on Sunday, November 6, guest preacher Fountain Baptist Church Pastor and President of the General Baptist Convention of New Jersey Rev. Dr. J. Michael Sanders enjoined the congregation to reflect on the power of the Word. A fantastic anniversary gala at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ on November 12 preceded the pastoral anniversary service.

Family members: standing L-R: Charles E. Mapson, Shalaya Brown, Andre Brown, Zaundria Little, and Marc Curtis Little. Seated L-R:Sarah Brown, Brian Brown, First Lady Shirley Mapson, Rev. Dr. Wendell Mapson Jr., Jessie W. Mapson III, Giselle Foster, and Saniyyah Mapson.

L-R: Guest Preacher Antioch Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Marvin A. McMickle and Rev. Dr. J. Wendell Mapson Jr.

Marc Curtis Little sharing reflections. First Lady Shirley D. Mapson L-R: Charles Mapson, First Lady Shirley Mapson, Rev. Dr. Wendell Mapson Jr., Zaundria Little, and Marc Curtis Little

Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft Sr., pastor St. Paul Baptist Church, West Chester, PA

The Photography of Bob Gore

Ifirst experienced the Black church from the front row of Chicago’s Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church, where my grandfather Rev. L.H. Gore was pastor. I was mesmerized by his powerful preaching and the continuous response from the congregation. My enthusiasm was so apparent some members speculated, “That boy’s gonna be a preacher.”

Though my path led to careers in broadcasting and photography, over the years, I’ve been an active member in or worked for African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist congregations in Buffalo, Boston, Buffalo, and New York City. Worship in each church reflected unique denominational formats while embracing African-American music and preaching qualities. I received mentoring and spiritual guidance through these churches from an extraordinary cadre of theologians, pastors, activists, and laity.

From January 18 through March 2, 2023, a retrospective of my work entitled “Witnessing Faith” will be on view at The Interchurch Center at 61 Claremont Ave., New York. There will be images of Christian, Jews, and Muslim believers of African descent from around the US and the Caribbean in worship, celebration, education, and social action. These are among the exhibit photos. The Maroon festival in Jamaica, a profile of an African-American monk at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Massachusetts, and a preacher whose flock rides the “A” Train, indigenous worship in Haiti, The ordination of ministers at The Abyssinian Baptist Church Harlem and the ordination of priests in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the joy of a christening in the Bronx, a mass baptism in the Atlantic Ocean, and multilingual preaching in Curacao and Curtis Blow’s Hip Hop church.

“Witnessing Faith” will run from January 18-March 2, 2023. The open reception is from 5:30-7:30 on January 18, 2023, at 61 Claremont Ave. New York City. All are welcome. Jennifer Roberts is the Co-Curator.

This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of the Interchurch Center. Paula Mayo is the President/ Executive Director.

Witnessing Faith

valentine’s day all-star comedy show

bill bellamy • tommy davidson feb 11 adele givens • eddie griffin • smokey suarez

paw patrol live!

The Great Pirate Adventure Fri, Dec 30 @ 10AM, 2 & 6PM Sat, Dec 31 @ 10AM

Bring the kids to see their favorite characters from Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol live onstage in The Great Pirate Adventure.

stephanie mills & the whispers

Fri, Jan 13 @ 8PM

Welcome “Home” to GRAMMY® winning songstress Stephanie Mills and R&B supergroup The Whispers.

Sun, Jan 29 @ 3 & 7PM

Pianist Fred Hersch and vocalist esperanza spalding celebrate the release of their album Alive at the Village Vanguard.

gregory porter

Sat, Feb 18 @ 8PM

Gregory Porter returns to NJPAC: “One of the most amazing singing voices you’ll hear on planet earth” (The Guardian).

@NJPAC • 1.888.MY.NJPAC • njpac.org Groups of 9 or more call 973.353.7561 One Center Street, Newark, NJ

smokey robinson

fred hersch & esperanza spalding

Sat, Mar 4 @ 8PM

Acclaimed singer-songwriter and GRAMMY® Living Legend Smokey Robinson performs his Motown hits.

jill scott

Mar 27 @ 8PM

GRAMMY® winning R&B powerhouse Jill Scott revisits her 2000 debut album Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1.

The American Song series at NJPAC is presented, in part, through the generous support of the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the David S. Steiner and Sylvia Steiner Charitable Trust, the Joan and Allen Bildner Family Fund, and the Smart Family Foundation/David S. Stone, Esq., Stone & Magnanini.