A Snapshot In Time

The Underground Railroad

You may have heard “the way it used to be” a long, long time ago!

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the late 1700s and early to mid-1800s and used by enslaved African Americans to escape into free states and Canada. One estimate suggests that by 1850, 100,000 slaves had escaped via the "Railroad".

Kentucky was the last state slaves needed to pass through on the Underground Railroad’s northern route to freedom. Its location on the border of slave and non-slave states and its unique geography as the only state surrounded on three sides by rivers created opportunities for people who were willing to risk their lives to live in freedom, and those willing to risk everything to help them

One of the h idden “stations” on the Underground Railroad was located at Lexington’s Historic St. Paul AME Church on North Upper Street. A hidden, narrow staircase behind the pulpit rises steeply and twists until it comes to t he door of a sma ll room above the sanctuary Aided by Free Black church members and a bol itionists, and allies w ho were sympathetic to their cause, the runaway slaves wou ld hide in the room for several days before a cart arrived to take them north.

Once the cart arrived, a bell was rung, and the runaways had only five minutes to get out. As for being tracked by slave catchers, the fugitives had a clever way of masking their scent. The city stray dog pound and cattle pen was right next to the church. The fugitive slaves walked through the dung, etc. at the pound. The stench hid their scent from the overseers seeking to find them. If someone couldn’t make it out, members of the church would take them in for about three weeks until the next group came.

The SPAME hidden "station" continued operations through the end of the Civil War, reaching its peak between 1850 and 1860 after passage of the Fugitive Slave Act. "Believe it or not" it remains in our church today. Not only did Historic St. Paul AME Church help slaves to find freedom beyond the Ohio River bu t a lso helped to undermine the institution of slavery. A courageous act!

Historic St. Paul AME Church

Providing over 203 Years (2023) of Spiritual Leadership and Community Service

Rev. Dr. Robert S. Strde, Pastor

Celebrating the Joy of Easter

by Lauren Abraham in [ Spiritual Life ]

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

(Romans 10:9-10)

For Christians, Easter represents Jesus Christ’s victory over death. His resurrection is proof He is the Son of God, and it is the reason we can find hope in an eternity spent with Him. During Easter, we celebrate what we believe to be the biggest moment in history.

Before celebrating Easter Sunday, however, many observe Good Friday. On this day, we remember how Jesus was persecuted and put to death. Jesus was crucified and took on the sins of the world, even though He was blameless. Because of this, many people wonder how this day could possibly be referred to as “good.”

In order to understand the good news of the gospel, we must first understand our sinful nature and our need for a Savior. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Without Jesus, we are hopeless. Our sinful nature causes us to fall short of His glory, and the punishment we deserve is death.

But there is good news! While Jesus suffered a terrible death, it was God’s plan to save us from our sins. Because Jesus conquered death, this made a way for all who believe in Him, and He reigns for eternity. If we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we can receive forgiveness and salvation.

We are not meant to keep this good news to ourselves. Jesus died for the sins of the world, and the gift of salvation is available to all who believe. As Christians, we are called to tell others about God and His great love for us.

Mark 16:15 says, “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’ ” In this passage, Jesus is talking to His disciples after they had not believed Mary when she told them of His resurrection.

During this season, I encourage you to share the joy of Easter with others. Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and reflect on the sacrifice He made on the cross. In telling others of His goodness, we can bring Him glory.