One of Tallahassee's first churches is facing its troubled history head-on. The people of First Presbyterian Church are inviting the greater community to join them in a special service this Sunday as they acknowledge the role that slavery and institutionalized racism has played in their church's history.
First Presbyterian's sanctuary was built by enslaved people before the Civil War. Enslaved people also attended services in a separate part of the church under the watchful eye of their captors. First Presbyterian's Interim Pastor Anne Apple says this was just part of what was learned when parishoners searched the congregation's actual history.
"In looking inward there was some understanding of, 'Wow! We've been saying this is the history of this church? That history wasn't telling the whole truth. And so this research, this study, this coming together and praying is really about we haven't been as faithful as we'd thought we'd been."
Congregants have placed a plaque on the church porch acknowledging that troubled history with a promise to atone through positive action. The community is invited to take part in that ceremony after Sunday's 11 o'clock service.
