Great Barrington — Members and supporters of the Clinton Church Restoration project are inviting the public to gather on Monday, February 6 at 12 noon in front of the historic Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church at 9 Elm Court in Great Barrington, to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the dedication of the church.
The anniversary program will feature history, remembrances and song from former congregants, and a call-to-action for help in raising the funds necessary to purchase and restore the building. Wray Gunn, chair of the nonprofit Clinton Church Restoration (CCR) and longtime church member, hopes that supporters will consider contributing a minimum of $130 to the organization in honor of the anniversary.
The Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an important site on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail. “The historic and cultural value of the Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church cannot be overstated,” said Dan Bolognani, executive director of Housatonic Heritage, whose organization has partnered with CCR. “Generations of African Americans in Berkshire County, including pioneering scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, have looked to the Church as a place of worship, education, political and social activism, and entertainment.”
The goal of the restoration project is to purchase, preserve and restore the decommissioned church for community use in a manner that celebrates and honors the local African American community, W.E.B. Du Bois’ legacy, Great Barrington’s history, African American spiritual tradition, and the work of the late Rev. Esther Dozier.
CCR’s most immediate goal is raise $100,000 by March 31 to purchase and stabilize the building and begin the process of creating a plan for its use. Donations may be made out to Housatonic Heritage with a memo indicating the Clinton Church Restoration. Checks may also be mailed to P.O. Box 611, Great Barrington. Online donations are accepted at www.GBClintonChurch.org. For more information contact Wray Gunn at wraygunn@msn.com.
