Closing on a high note

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Deacon Terri Black (center) of the First Baptist Church in Gary, Ind., accepts a plaque from Dolly Millender of the Gary Historical Society, recognizing the church as the oldest in the city Jan. 8, 2012. | Jim Karczewski~for Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 13, 2012 2:59PM

“An Inaugural Gospel Celebration,” conducted Sunday at West Side Leadership Academy’s auditorium, closed a week of festivities for Indiana and Gary’s first African-American female mayor, Karen Freeman-Wilson.

Hundreds gathered at the concert to enjoy local and national gospel choirs and singers, including Freeman-Wilson and members of her immediate and extended family.

“We are proud to know Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson as a valedictorian at Roosevelt High School, a City Court judge, an attorney general, and last, but not least, as someone who had sense enough to close an inaugural week with a gospel concert,” said Bishop Norman J. Hairston II of Zion Progressive Cathedral in Gary.

Hairston and the Rev. Sieon Roberts Sr. of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church served as masters of ceremonies.

Performances varied, from former Miss Indiana, singer and actress Kellee Patterson opening with her rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer,” to fellow Gary native G. Martin with his rendition of Smokie Norful’s gospel hit, “I Need You Now.”

Other performers included the New Hope Baptist Choir, the Hearne Family Singers, the Blakely Family Singers, and Kathy Taylor and Favor.

Gary historian, retired librarian and former School Board member Dharathula “Dolly” Millender made a presentation on the city’s oldest church and pastors who have remained at one church the longest. She said her project was the result of an “assignment” given to her and she was glad to share some knowledge with the younger people.

“First Baptist Church was built in 1907 along 21st (Avenue) and Washington Street after African-Americans were relegated to an area between 16th and 17th and Washington known as ‘The Patch,’ ” Millender said.

She added that the longest-serving minister at one church who still is living is the Rev. Pharis Evans Sr. of Clark Road Baptist Church, and Bishop George Stern of Logan Park Assembly Church of God in Christ.

“Rev. Evans has been with Clark Road Baptist for 50 years, and Bishop Stern has been with Logan Park for 40 years,” Millender said.

The celebration ended with a highly anticipated performance from Grammy Award winner and Gary native Denise Williams, who sang “His Eyes Are on the Sparrow” and “Black Butterfly,” among other hymns.

“I am very proud of our new mayor,” Williams told the audience. “I love coming home to Gary because I believe in this city and I know it is going to come back.”