‘Four Churches’ will hold joint Christmas event
“The Four Churches” – Emanuel Baptist, New Bethel Baptist, St. John CME and Union Baptist – will present their first combined annual Symphonic Christmas Extravaganza on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 5 pm at Union Baptist Church, 1200 N. Trade St.
The music and dance departments of each church will present a combined celebration of choral music, dancing, instrumentals and bell selections to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Though the four churches have a long history of partnership and collaboration, this will be the first time they have united for a holiday event.
Union Pastor Dr. Sir Walter Mack Jr. said for the last five decades, the churches have come together quarterly for a worship service. Their regular gatherings led them to be coined, “The Four Churches.” The tradition began in the late 1960s when Dr. Abraham McDaniel led Union Baptist, Dr. Jerry Drayton led New Bethel, Dr. Sir Walter Mack Sr. led Emmanuel and Rev. D.W. Browning led St. John CME.
Today, Dr. John Mendez is pastor of Emmanuel, while Dr. Kendall D. Jones Sr. heads New Bethel and Pastor Peris J. Lester leads St. John. Last year, these men, along with Dr. Mack, restructured the format for the joint worship service to include more four-way interaction.
The Christmas Extravaganza is free and open to the public. For more information, call Union at 336-724-9305.
