Grace: The History of Black Churches in Cambridge
The Cambridge Museum of History & Culture invites you to experience Grace: The History of Black Churches in Cambridge, an exhibition honoring Black History Month that shall be on display throughout February at the Kendall Public Lobby. Throughout this nation’s history, Black Churches have been a cornerstone of community, culture, and resilience, and this has certainly been the case in Cambridge. Black Churches have played an essential role not only in the spiritual lives of their congregants, but also serving as incubators for social justice, education, and community building. Grace strives to illuminate part of the rich history and contributions by highlighting just some of these enduring institutions, focusing on their collective, enduring legacy in our community. By showcasing the history of these important institutions, Grace aims to foster a deeper understanding of their significance in Cambridge's past, present, and future.
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Community Curators
Chandra Salvi Harrington
Deacon Cheryl Maynard
Dr. Cheryl Townsend Gilkes
Dr. Janie Ward
Dr. Kris Manjapra
Lynette Riley-Belle
Patricia Weems
Reverend Dr. Ellis I. Washington
Reverend Lorraine Thornhill
Sister Danita Callender
Valerie Beaudrault
Churches
Abundant Life Church
St. Augustine’s African American Orthodox Christian Church
Cambridge Community Outreach Tabernacle
Christian Mission Holiness Church
Kingdom Empowerment Center
Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church
North Cambridge Community Church
Pentecostal Tabernacle
Rush Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church
St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church
Union Baptist Church
Western Avenue Baptist Church
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Sponsors
BXP
Cambridge Arts
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority
The Cambridge Historical Commission
The Office of Mayor E. Denise Simmons
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge Museum of History & Culture
Mayor E. Denise Simmons, Founder
Neal Alpert
Collyn Stephens
Sophie G. Young
Stacey Miguel
Suryani Dewa Ayu
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"Black History at Pentecostal Tabernacle"
Courtesy of Pentecostal Tabernacle and John MacGibbon
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"Dance Ministry"
Courtesy of St. Paul A.M.E Church
The Grace Exhibit is made possible by the generous work of community curators: Chandra Salvi Harrington, Deacon Cheryl Maynard, Dr. Cheryl Townsend Gilkes, Dr. Janie Ward, Dr. Kris Manjapra, Lynette Riley-Belle, Patricia Weems, Reverend Dr. Ellis I. Washington, Reverend Lorraine Thornhill, Sister Danita Callender, and Valerie Beaudrault, in fellowship with church congregations across the city. We would like to thank our generous sponsors for the tremendous support and incredible platform to connect, share, and learn: BXP, Cambridge Arts, The Cambridge Historical Commission, The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, The Office of Mayor E. Denise Simmons, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.