by Lucy Nalen Sam Winston, 61, serves as an elder at Temple of God apostolic church in Gilpin Court. Which means he’s a leader of the church that he helped build from scratch on an empty lot 20 years ago. I asked him about the size of the congregation. “Sometimes 20, sometimes 25, sometimes four,” Read more about A Vision, an Empty Lot, an Answered Prayer[…]
by Lucy Nalen Barksdale Haggins, owner of a gospel record shop in Jackson Ward, has been going by the nickname “Barky” for most of his 86 years. Today, this revered senior citizen and anchor of the community is known as Mister Barky. The man himself is dapper and fit: The name suits him. In business Read more about Mr. Barky’s Spiritual Store[…]
by Lucy Nalen Standing outside Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, Benjamin Ross, church historian, speaks to me through gusts of wind that push and pull at his trademark bow tie. Ross, an impeccably dressed man, has given this spiel before, and it’s apparent in the rushed and rehearsed tone of voice he uses. He knows Read more about From Horse Stable to Historic Landmark: Sixth Mount Zion Church[…]