From July 28 to August 4, 2002, The Gethesemane Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, at 1352 South Union (312-829-4404) in the old Maxwell Street neighborhood, will be celebrating its 80^th anniversary. The church building is well over a 120 years old, being first a German Congregational Church and then a Romanian Synagogue. Under the leadership of Reverend Albert Sharp in 1922 it became transformed into Gethsemane, an African-American church serving the old Maxwell Street neighborhood. It is now the last Protestant church in the area. The church seems to have decided that it will move, so this may be one of the last chances to experience some of the authentic culture of the old Maxwell Street neighborhood and to commemorate its history.

Sunday, July 28. There will be the usual Sunday morning service beginning with Sunday School at 9:30AM, followed by devotional/testimonies at 10:45, culminating with the main worship service at 11:00AM.. At 3:30PM, Reverend Francis of the Macedonia Church will doing guest preaching, followed by a light pot-luck meal.

Wednesday, July 31. Guests from Greater Hope Baptist Church will preach and lead a service at 7PM. to approximately 9PM.

Thursday August 1. Guests from Albany Youth Chapel will preach and lead a service at 7PM. to approximately 9PM.

Friday, August 2. Guests from New Alpha Progressive Church will preach and lead a service at 7PM to approximately 9PM.

Main Celebration Day - Sunday, August 4. There will be the usual Sunday morning service beginning with Sunday School at 9:30AM, followed by devotional/testimonies at 10:45, culminating with the main worship service at 11:00AM.. At 4PM, Reverend Brown of the Pamphylia Church will doing guest preaching, followed by a full dinner pot-luck meal.

• From about 1:30PM to 4PM, the Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition will be showing old and contemporary documentary videos about Maxwell Street, and History Professor Al Stein of Roosevelt University (son of Maxwell Street merchants) will be conducting oral history interviews with the help of his students. Carolyn Eastwood, author of the new book about Maxwell Street, Near West Side Stories, will be autographing books.

The church is at Union and 14^th Street, four blocks south of Roosevelt Rd. and one block east of Halsted. There is plenty of free parking in the Church parking lot and on the street. All are invited to these festivities. If you wish to attend the potluck, contact the names at the top of this notice.

For more information about Maxwell Street see <http://www.openair.org/maxwell/preserve.html> and <http://www.maxwellstreet.org>.

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