An Afternoon of History, Music, and Fellowship at the Presbytery of East Tennessee’s Black History Celebration
On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the Presbytery of East Tennessee gathered at Fourth United Presbyterian Church for its annual Black History Celebration, an aftrenoon marked by reflection, gratitude, and shared faith.
The guest speaker was Rev. Renee Kesler from the Beck Cultural Exchange Center in Knoxville. She spoke about the work of the Beck Center as a historic community resource dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting artifacts and evidence of the contributions of African Americans in East Tennessee and throughout the country, while creating educational experiences that serve present and future generations. Her words were a gentle reminder of the importance of remembering our shared history and honoring the stories that have shaped our communities.
Representatives from each of the historically African-American Presbyterian churches in the Knoxville and Chattanooga areas presented brief histories of their congregations, reflecting on their founding and growth through the years. Listening to these stories offered a glimpse into generations of faithfulness, perseverance, and hope.
CLP Doris Thomas and Barbara Glanz of Rocky Springs Presbyterian Church served dinner in the fellowship hall, extending warm hospitality and creating space for fellowship and conversation among those gathered.
During the service, singers from participating churches joined together in the multi-church “Better Together” chorus, directed again this year by Ron Sharpe. Pianists Wendell Werner, who hosts Jazz and Gospel concerts at Fourth United, and Scott Sheetz, organist and choir director at First Presbyterian Church, accompanied the choir. Scott also offered a moving arrangement of “Deep River,” a piece that quietly carried the depth of the spiritual tradition.
The afternoon service provided a thoughtful and heartfelt opportunity to remember, to learn, and to gather as congregations across the presbytery, grateful for the witness of those who have gone before us and hopeful for the work still ahead.