NASHVILLE, TN — Spruce Street Baptist Church will celebrate its 2018 Homecoming celebration marking its 174th Anniversary. The community is invited to join the church for a special weekend of activities, and special recognition for the Reverend Raymond Bowman, who served 30 years as pastor.
As the ‘Mother Church’ of black churches in Nashville, Tennessee, Spruce Street has played a tremendous role in not only shaping the Christian experience in Nashville, but has been a pioneering spirit of committed service and unwavering faith. The 2018 Homecoming theme is “For We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight” and compliments the scripture 2 Corinthians 5:7.
“We have had many stellar observances in the past, and look forward to another uplifting celebration completed with outstanding music, fellowship, and a powerful message and service,” said Interim Pastor Angela Pulce-Reed, who is the first woman to serve in the role. “Our vision is bold is guided by our faith in God. We also look forward to extending a well-deserved salute to our leadership over the past 30 years.”
Activities will take place at the church, located at 504 Spruce Street, and will include a Family Fun Night on Friday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m. and the Morning Worship Service on Sunday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m.
The worship speaker will be long-time member and deaconess, Ola G. Hudson. Hudson, a community volunteer and educator devoting 40 years to the Nashville public school system, taught and served as coordinator of Home Economics and Interim Director of Vocational, Adult and Community Education. She is a past president of the Metropolitan Nashville Retired Teachers’ Association and, in 1997, was inducted into the Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame. A native of Nashville, Hudson has also served Spruce Street as Sunday School general superintendent, where she served for 27 years. She has been a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated for more than 60 years.
“We are thankful for our dynamic history, legacy of leadership, and impactful community outreach of this church, and this will certainly be a day of high praise to Almighty God, Who has guided Spruce Street through the years making this occasion, and so many other milestones, possible,” said Deborah Barnes, Spruce Street’s Homecoming Committee chairperson.
