About this Event
“The church, as an institution and a physical gathering place, is the force that made Black culture, music, and art what it is today.” - By Morgan Forde in “The Black Church is a Cultural Laboratory: A Conversation with Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.”
“Black entertainers may be varied in genre and style, but from Aretha Franklin to Marvin Gaye, many have a shared background of growing up and honing their skills in the Black church. [... C]hurch congregations were the first audiences for Black music. The ears of Black folks were the first to hear the spectacular voices that remain with us forever.” - By Ralph E. Moore Jr for AFRO
In the spirit of the opening quotes, St. Philip Lutheran Church is hosting a signature event during its anniversary month called “Creative Faith ~ Honoring the Spirit-Filled Creative Geniuses of St. Philip Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Greater Columbus Black Worship Community.”
Through a luncheon, moderated panel, and a performance on Saturday, August 10, 2024 in the Lincoln Theatre Cardinal Health Ballroom, PLUS a commemorative program book, we will:
- Showcase St. Philip’s history of artistic expression within the congregation
- Honor Living Legend -- Mrs. Catherine Willis -- for her Creative Faith work in the church and in the community
- Spotlight arts organizations and initiatives that have been or that currently are affiliated with the Church
- Catch up with the youth and young adults that have benefitted from St. Philip’s investment in the arts with a feature section called “Where Are They Now?”
- Celebrate the elders that shared their time and talent as instructors in St. Philip-sponsored arts initiatives
- Thank the Parents, Caregivers, Volunteers, Funders and Patrons who have partnered with St. Philip and other Black Churches over the years to spread the gospel, serve our youth, and uplift the community for 80 years and counting!
How Does Creative Faith Connect to St. Philip's History?
Throughout 2024, St. Philip Lutheran Church is reflecting on it history of faith leadership and community service.
Thanks in large measure to Mrs. Catherine Willis (congregant), St. Philip Lutheran has served Columbus, and namely the Near East Side, as a patron of community arts programs for decades. One of the early programs that St. Philip supported was the F.A.C.E. Players initiative of Friends of the Arts for Community Enrichment.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Columbus-area youth received instruction in acting, dancing, and singing through F.A.C.E. Players from educator, writer, actress and former principal dancer with the Katherine Dunham, Dr. Glory Van Scott, and her co-instructor, Ruby Streate, who is sustaining Katherine Dunham’s legacy at the Katherine Dunham Centers for the Arts and Humanities in East St. Louis, where she is artistic director of the Katherine Dunham Children’s Workshop.
These two artists were brought to Columbus by Mrs. Willis and F.A.C.E. to lead workshops and practices for those workshops were held at St. Philip Lutheran. Many members of St. Philip and members of other local churches made cosutumes, packed lunches, and ran back-of-house operations for the performances that were held at the King Arts Complex, Capital University, and even THE APOLLO THEATER in NYC.
Matthew Hancock is a lifelong member of St. Philip Lutheran and he was a F.A.C.E. Player. Matthew is now an awarding winning actor and multifaceted creative. Don't miss this full-circle moment!
Dr. Glory and Sister Ruby are returning to Columbus to help St. Philip Lutheran honor its 80 year history! They while be joined on a panel by Mrs. Willis and Matthew. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Elaine Richarson, professionally known as Dr. E, is a professor of Literacy Studies, Department of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University who is also known as an author, lecturer, performer, and singer and songwriter.
Join the celebration on Saturday, August 10!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Lincoln Theatre, 769 East Long Street, Columbus, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 80.00
