Sandy Ridge Revival 2023 Program Bill

SANDY RIDGE REVIVAL

The Historic Mac Wesley Chapel

f u l l S p e c t r u m

On the Cover...

Jacob Armstead Lawrence was an American painter known for his portrayal of African-American historical subjects and contemporary life A social realist, Lawrence documented the African American experience in several series devoted to Toussaint L'Ouverture, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, life in Harlem, and the civil rights movement of the 1960s. He was one of the first nationally recognized African American artists.

We selected the Migrant Series cover as it captured the essence of the powerful migration that is our legacy

In 1940, he received a grant from the Rosenwald Foundation to create a 60-panel epic, The Migration of the Negro (now known as TheMigration Series); when the series was exhibited at Edith Halpert’s Downtown Gallery the following year, the then 23year-old artist catapulted to national acclaim

Jacob Armstead Lawrence was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1917. The son of Southern migrants, he moved with his mother and sister to Harlem in 1930 at age 13

From Jacob Lawrence Migration Series

Letter from Steven Hill

Hello Family and Close Friends. The Wesley Branch of our comprehensive Family Tree are planning what is the start of the complete resurrection of our Family’s Basket Dinner celebration, which celebrates our Wesley Family’s very Independence and Freedom Basket Dinner is a 152-year long tradition established by Mac Wesley, the patriarch of the Wesley Family. Mac and Luvina Wesley made their way through Louisiana and Oklahoma, from Mount Enterprise, Texas, after the Wesley’s and three other families received news (indirectly from Union soldiers) of their freedom from slavery and traveled by an oxpulled cart for a five-week journey bound for Nicodemus, Kansas, which I’ve been told is located in northwest Kansas. The cartwheel and/or axle broke shortly after crossing into southeast Kansas (north of the Verdigris River) in an area known as Sandy Ridge, Kansas They ended up settling in Sandy Ridge, just about an hour’s drive south (by vehicle today) to Tulsa Oklahoma’s infamous Greenwood District, known as Black Wall Street

I’m sure you ’ re familiar with the term Juneteenth The first time I heard this term was when I was stationed in Germany, before I retired from the Finance Corps and the U.S. Army. I initially thought the individual who shared that term with me was just mis-pronouncing the word After my research of the term, I was able to piece together stories my mother (Elva Mae Wesley-Hill, oldest of 8 children born to Leonard Wesley, Sr (son of Mac and Luvina) and Delora Pettie-Wesley, lovingly shared with me about my mother’s grandparents (Mac and Luvina). I received first-hand knowledge of our Family’s “Juneteenth” Story and Experience, from my Family that lived it So, for this year, we ’ re looking to at least resurrect the Spirit of our Family’s Independence Day via our traditional Basket Dinner celebration. Basket Dinner is always the fourth Sunday in August

Our cousin Keira Wesley, great-granddaughter of Mac and Luvina, daughter of Peggy and Clarence Wesley, has done a magnificent job of documenting our church and family property as historic, filing the voluminous reports, business plans, and other official documentation

Keira spends countless hours directing, creating, and coordinating with the Kansas State Historical Society, USDA, Kansas State Tax Exemption, and National Registry. Keira’s father (Clarence Wesley) is the last living grandchild of Mac and Luvina Wesley. Keira, coupled with cousin James Wesley, great-grandson of Mac and Luvina Wesley, son of Louise and Curtis Wesley (grandson of Mac and Luvina), in addition to their flawless documentation efforts have orchestrated and coordinated with some of our other cousins (Eric Scourten, son of Rosetta Wesley-Scourten (granddaughter of Mac and Luvina) and Peacum Scourten, Tracy Wesley, son of Meldon (grandson of Mac and Luvina) and Barbara Ruth Wesley, Toletha Wesley-Dean, all great-grandchildren of Mac and Luvina) to physically remove the old outside Basket Dinner serving area, trash from the church, comprehensive church cleaning, extensive landscaping, and other Chapel structural efforts

Keira, her sons, Tyler and Brauck, (great-great’s of Mac and Luvina), and their close knit team have a truly splendid Basket Dinner weekend celebration set-up for us (entertainment, great food, and another unpromised opportunity to praise and worship our Heavenly Father, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, for all of the blessings our Family has Experienced coupled with Fellowship in the Spirit of Basket Dinner’s Past

For those of our Family that could not physically attend this year ’ s Basket Dinner celebration, would you please be so kind as to participate ongoing by making a hopefully continued small monthly donation towards restoring and maintaining Wesley Chapel and ultimately our beloved Basket Dinner Please send whatever you can afford to the address below Our Family is large enough that even a very small continued monthly donation is appreciated and will make a material difference. Let’s partner to restore Wesley Chapel, Basket Dinner, and cement our Family Legacy, Forever May Our Heavenly Father Continue to Bless our Comprehensive Wesley Family

Message from Steven Hill, Chairman of The Mac & Luvina Wesley Trust, Inc.

The Official Historical Account of Mac Wesley

After a five-week journey in 1876, on foot and by ox-pulled cart, Mac Wesley (born 1851 in Louisiana), his wife Luvina (born 1860 in Texas), small child and three other families traveling alongside, stopped short of their destination to Nicodemus, Kansas. Historically phrased as the “Kansas Exodus” or called “Exodusters,” southern Blacks that had been held captive as slaves, sought the full benefits of freedom and migrated northward. Mac Wesley left Louisiana immediately after the Emancipation and according to the 1870 Texas census was 19 years old. The family griot tells the story that Mac didn’t feel liberated in Texas.

WESLEY BEGINNINGS

After a five-week journey in 1876, on foot and by oxpulled cart, Mac Wesley (born 1851 in Louisiana), his wife Luvina (born 1860 in Texas), toddler-age daughter, nine year old daughter, and three other families (Ingrams, Gridiger and McFarland families) traveling alongside, stopped short of their destination to Nicodemus, Kansas. Historically phrased as the “Kansas Exodus” or called “Exodusters,” southern Blacks that had been held captive as slaves, sought the full benefits of freedom and migrated northward. Mac Wesley left Louisiana immediately after the Emancipation and according to the 1870 Texas census was 19 years old. The family griot tells the story that Mac didn’t feel liberated in Texas.

At age 19, Mac Wesley was living in Texas, as the head of household with his mother, Elizabeth Stafford Wesley (born 1817 in Virginia or Kentucky). Mac’s father, Charles Wesley was born in 1817 in Louisiana. According to census records, Mac was their only child.

Mac married Luvina Booker (parents Paul Booker and Evaline, both from South Carolina) in 1876 in Rusk, Texas, and shortly after uprooted from there, which family called, Mount Enterprise, Texas (current population 450, near Tyler, TX) after he read a notice that promoted the freedmen benefits and land offerings in Kansas. From census data, Mac also brought with him an older daughter named Julia, who appears to have been born before he married Luvina. Records show that she may have been nine years old, and the infant traveling, child of Mac and Luvina, Martha, was under age one. By consequence, a broken wagon wheel and looming brisk winter with roughly another 350 miles to their promised land, the young Wesleys and friends, redirected by destiny, began settlement, near Coffeyville, Kansas and ultimately purchased and formed a colony in Sandy Ridge that, in the course of time, benefitted 13 of their 17 children, by his acquisition of land and gifting each an 8 – 10-acre plot.

One of the happiest occasions that occurred in the vicinity

for some time took place Thursday evening, December 30, 1915, at the home of Mr and Mrs Mac Wesley, when their daughter Parthenia was given in marriage to Mr. J.J. Briggans.

GROWING FAMILY

According to the 1880 census, Mac was a farmer/laborer, and head of household that included his wife Luvina, daughter Martha, daughter Julia and another surnamed Griddaker. By the year 1900, the census lists nine more children, but no more mention of the baby girl Martha who migrated north with them. The 1900 census lists: Jessie (b. 1884), Paul (b. 1886), Edward (b. 1887), Ellen (b. 1889), Charles (b. 1892), John (b. 1893), Parthenia (b. 1894), Jenorie (b. 1896) and Etheal (b. 1899). By 1910, the household census added Harold, Mabel, Leonard, and Christine. The latter census seems to have name spellings corrected, Jenorie to Eugene, Etheal to Ethel.

On the Bolton, Kansas historical record, four of the children of Mac and Luvina are listed as the first Black children to integrate the Bolton public schools: Harold, Leonard, Christine and Mabel, between 1910 and 1915. The school was approximately 20 miles from the landmarked corner in Sandy Ridge, Kansas. Mac Wesley was a farmer and preacher. His stature and charisma drew people from all over the region to hear him speak. He began having parlor services in settlers’ homes and then a basket dinner, where settlers came with baskets of food and spent the day in church services and fellowship. The chapel was born from this ministry.

From newspaper archives, it appeared that the Sandy Ridge colony were socialites of their era. The families that surrounded and married Wesleys were Briggans, Teals, Washingtons, Collins, and McFarland. The Briggans-Wesley marriage records a fancy write-up in the society pages. Parthina Wesley and J.J. Briggans were married in the home of Mac and Luvina, in what the paper revealed, “Promptly at 8:30, in a very decorous manner, the quartet (bride, maid of honor – sister Ethel Wesley, best man Dewey Robinson and groom) marched down the stairway into the sitting room, which was nicely decorated and took their positions beneath an arch.” The article finished by adding that there was an elaborate supper spread immediately after the wedding. And there’s much more history to uncover.

In Sandy Ridge, Mac was a leader, a preacher and dedicated family/community man. He professed his occupation as a farmer and his calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Before building the church, known today as Wesley Chapel, the entire colony would gather to hear Mac preach in their homes, known as “cottage prayer meetings.” He created a larger gathering, which by today’s standard would be a revival or church conference. The gathering was on the fourth Sunday of August, attracting people throughout Kansas and Oklahoma, where they set up wood planks for seating, a platform for the speaker built from lumber, and each family with baskets of fried chicken, desserts and other fixings – legendarily known now as “The Basket Dinner.”

Note from James Wesley

The name Sandyridge Kansas invokes such fond memories. My Dad, Curtis, spraying water on the road to keep the dust done, fantastic meals, annual meetings with family we hadn’t seen since that prior year ' s basket dinner We were inspired by great sermons by family members and outstanding pastors from the area of Coffeyville Looking back, I remember the family choirs, Collins sisters, the Wesley brothers, the poems recited by Aunt Chris and Aunt Mabel and Aunt Parthenia letting us come tour their farm. There was homemade ice cream by Cousin Josephine Teal. And of course watermelons!

I remember, fondly, being tutored by our uncles on how to conduct ourselves as young men, from a firm handshake to eye contact, and the proper way to speak up to be heard and understood, in addition to the mandate to always get good grades.

I’m so proud to see this endeavor undertaken by Keira to revive the legacy of the basket dinner and the work at getting historical acknowledgment of the significance of the Sandy Ridge settlement, which happened during the same time of the Votaw settlement but had not been widely known by many beyond those who descended from those early settlers

We thank all who are Family those who are participants and visitors to this historic event.

Be Blessed, James

A. Wesley

Great Grandson of Mac and Luvina Wesley Treasurer Mac and Luvina Wesley Trust

Event Program

Saturday,

August 26, 2023

3PM - 8PM

Basket Dinner & Legendary Church Service

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Julia Wesley (Texas)

Charles Wesley (Louisiana)

Elizabeth Stafford (b 1817 Kentucky/Virginia)

Mac Wesley (b.1851 Louisiana)

Martha W (b 1876

Cornelius/Will (b 1879 Ka

Rhoda W (b 1881 K

Jessie W (b 1884 K

Paul Booker (South Carolina)

Evaline ? (South Carolina)

Luvina (Booker) Wesley (b 1859 Texas)

Paul W (b 1886 K

Edward W (b 1887 K

Ellen W (b 1889 K

Charles W (b. 1892 K

John W (b 1893 K

Parthenia (b 1894 K

Eugene W (b 1896 K

Ethel W (b. 1899 K

Harold W (b 1901 K

Mabel W (b 1902

Leonard (b 1905 K

Christine (b. 1907 K

*contrasting data

1900

20

The hand-carved headstones of Mac and

Wesley (pictured) situated at the far northwest corner of Spring Hill Cemetery, a few minutes from the chapel. Many other family members are buried next to their plots, including their child that died in infancy

Mac Wesley 1851 - April 21, 1922

Luvina (Booker) Wesley October 1859 - April 21, 1934

Luvina

REDEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW

The Mac & Luvina Gardens

THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The Rural Demonstration Project is essen botanical garden, historical landmark and con of extraordinary beauty that inspires, enga enlightens people about plants and nature, B Native American culture, health and nutritio clean planet, through experiences that promote appreciation and understanding of plants for a more harmonious and sustainable world

In line with a legacy of farmers and faith in God, "The Trust," its properties and vision promotes environmental stewardship and a love of plants while being a global example of innovative “green” design in architecture, environmental elements, d ll hi h will now also include technology.

The County Road land lots at 2800 and 4500, near Coffeyville, Kansas, also called Sandy Ridge near the Kansas Oklahoma state lines in southeastern Kansas is the historic site of The Demonstration Project that includes chapel, homestead, gardens and symbolic gateway of the Kansas Exodusters With historic landmarks dating back 152 years, the redevelopment offers opportunity for the adaption of historic and significant properties that will have positive impact on the adjacent residential, educational and commercial sectors, historians and tourism, locally and of nearby metropolitan areas including Tulsa, Oklahoma and Joplin, Missouri Under the executive oversight of The Collective, the development project serves to recreate the historical spaces to preserve the historical aspect and redesign the landscape to a multi-featured botanical garden green space for community gatherings of large and small events, educational workshops, lectures and programming for youth and adults, energizing and unique family experiences and a demonstration of sustainable practices and principles throughout the properties

The Collective strives to set precedents in sustainability through spaces like the proposed Visitor Center, The Homestead Bed & Breakfast (extension of house) with historical preservation of the current church and house structures (museum and archives aspects) and multiple-themed gardens, including the Natural Water Springs Garden, The Herb & Medicinal Gardens, Children's Garden, Zen Garden, Conservatory and the Native Gardens A mandate is for every structure on the site to be sustainably designed The objectives of transforming the landscape into a thriving garden will position The Demonstration Project and historic aspects as a national and international model of green sustainability through design.

Reaching beyond gardeners, historians and nature-lovers, The Demonstration Project Gardens will feature a wide range of programming and outreach strategies From musical performances, church and garden weddings and art exhibits to cultural festivals and health and wellness, these activities take advantage of the special setting and ambiance that a garden offers to bring newcomers to the garden

Multi-functional spaces serving as event or rental venues are critical for revenue generation and must be diverse in size and character to appeal to multiple users The Master Plan will offer a comprehensive and complete guidance to ensure that the final selections of plants, built elements, programmable spaces, and other garden details work together to create a cohesive and powerful cultural center with unique legacy properties

ABOUT THE ARCHITECT

We first discovered Daniel Cota by providence, serendipitously. one might say. It takes a visionary to see the possibilities on a blank canvas, and Daniel has done that successfully, time and time, again. His success has been creating beauty within natural forests and now he helps demonstrate that attraction in the heart of America, the rural south, the land that Mac envisioned

Project Design - Lead Architect: Daniel Cota - In 2008, Daniel Cota directed and founded the studio arquitectura office as a firm focused on architecture, design and interior design of various types. In 2019 he decided to change the name of the office to architecture Daniel Cota putting his signature on each of the projects Among Daniel's most outstanding projects is the clubhouse of the Grand Coral Rivera Maya golf course, winner of the silver medal in the Biennial of Architecture of the Mexican Caribbean 2015 in the category of recreational

building, the Britt Academy Playa del Carmen school winner of the 1st place peninsula prize 2018 awarded by the association of architects and interior designers of Mexico in the category of recreational architecture and the nuove lofts building winner of Honorable Mention in the Biennial of Architecture of the Mexican Caribbean 2015 in the Multifamily Housing branch

Guest Pastor

Co-founder of Ruach International Fellowship and Senior Pastor of Yesha Ministries in Philadelphia, Bishop James Robinson and his wife First Lady Elaine Robinson have helped thousands of people find new life through the message of Jesus Christ.

For more than 40 years, Bishop James Robinson has led an evangelical campaign that is credited to leading thousands of people to Christ, across the nation and on several continents His ministry, although traditional in some aspects, is unique by his distinct ability to transcend tradition in his delivery of the Gospel, through broadening spiritual boundaries in order to reach diverse people of many backgrounds, cultures and denominations

Many know him as Bishop, others as an astute word scholar, a community and real estate development leader, a music promoter, an accredited counselor, and still others as a beloved father, grandfather, and loyal friend And his wife knows him as a devoted husband One of three brothers, Bishop Robinson was raised in Philadelphia in a time of turmoil and city corruption After his father’s murder left him wandering astray, his uncle (dad’s brother) Bishop Robert T Robinson took the brothers under his wing His uncles, all ministers covered them by the church and helped rear them under Pentecostal tenets

At age 14, Bishop Robinson was called to preach, and by his prolific gift to understand and deliver the word, he was known as a child prodigy. He spent those first years traveling around the world with revivalists in addition to preaching at home under his uncle, Bishop Robert T. Robinson at Philadelphia Revival Temple, where he eventually took the mantle of Pastor at age 25

His ministry of reconciliation led to an international fellowship of churches, formally named Ruach United Fellowship. In 1999, Bishop Robinson founded Yesha Fellowship Bishop Robinson's commitment to service, and a powerful will to minister beyond word and walls, has opened a multitude of branches, including rehabilitation facilities with remarkable recovery methods, music ministry with a full state-of-the-art theater and recording studio, affordable housing, and an allstar weekend to inspire his city. He has made an indelible mark on the world through his philanthropy, service and social justice.

Bishop Robinson is the proud father of five children and seven grandchildren, all following the path set before them in ministry and music

Bishop James Darrell Robinson, Sr. & First Lady Elaine

Special Guests

GUEST HOST

Nicole Renee

Nicole Renee launched her music career as a young child She produced and hosted a radio program on WDAS-FM in Philadelphia, called: "The Way It Is " The Radio show targeted young adults and featured interviews with notable celebrities and political leaders.

GUEST MUSICIAN

Jace Robinson

Jace Robinson is a multi-genre pianist/organist who crosses freely from Gospel to jazz, rhythm and blues and the classics. He began playing professionally at age nine, taking on the role of minister of music at his parents’ church In the years following, Jace developed skill to participate in the music pedigree surrounding him, which includes, in brief, his older brother, Darrell Robinson, Jr , musical director for Pharrell Williams and Emmy-award winning Adam Blackstone, in addition to a host of other music aristocracy

From 1989-1992 Nicole went on to Co-host Black Entertainment Television's (BET) Teen Summit, where she continued to interview national and international celebrities Nicole experienced amazing highs and horrible lows in her personal life and her career and has written heartfelt lyrics upon which she has built her sensational pop/R&B ballads 1998 saw the debut of Nicole's first album, Nicole Renee. This passionate female vocalist impressively wrote her own material and played guitar on the album. Her heart-touching, unforgettable album was just the beginning for Nicole.

Jace’s gift was discovered by his mother, Elaine Robinson, a vocalist and his father, James Robinson, Sr , a minister and musician, before he reached school age His music journey began at home with private lessons and nurtured in a church environment with world-renowned musicians, continuing now academically and experientially.

Nicole Renee Harris, original host of BET's Teen Summit, Atlantic Records recording artist and leading real estate developer in the Delaware Valley.

For the record

y name is JoVonna Everett (nee Roe) I am the daughter of Melvin and elen Roe (nee Wesley) Being born and raised in the city, it was always un and exciting going to Kansas to see my Wesley relatives These visits so included the 4th Sunday in August – the Basket Dinner in Sandy dge, Kansas I felt it was special because we had a mini family reunion very year.

y mother took pride in what the elders were able to do, being land wners My mother often told me who owned what parcel of land When y mother learned that the homestead where she and my uncles and unts were raised, as well as the church, was for sale, she and my epfather, Herman Sanchez (aka Boze) quickly decided to buy it

ver the years they repaired the homestead and family members stayed n the property. After the passing of my stepfather, it became creasingly difficult for my mother to maintain the property When I ecame involved in my mother’s personal affairs, I realized she was pending money to keep the property, but by doing so she was financially ruggling She came very close to losing the property

he Wesley Family Trust was created to help preserve the land as many elatives were selling their land outside of the family. This was also meant to help share the costs involved with keeping the property. She often stated with pride, “if my grandfather overcame obstacles to be a landowner, the least I can do is help preserve it ” I believe she would be brimming with pride at our efforts to continue this legacy

JoVonnaRoeEverett

Helen Wesley Sanchez

Daughter of Leonard Wesley, Sr. and Delora Pettie Wesley

SPECIAL THANKS

Gary Chapman

IMPECCABLE LAWN SERVICE

Marsha Hayes

Donna Rae Pearson

HISTORIAN

Walter Edwards

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

Edmond Coller

LEGALCOUNSEL

Robert Love

MUSIC CONSULTANT

Mizmore Music Group

MUSIC CONSULTANTS

Daniel Cota

REDEVELOPMENT ARCHITECT

Fish & Shrimp Restaurant Independence

SUNDAY BRUNCH

Professional Cleaning Company

CHAPEL CLEANING & PREP

Eric Scourten

James Wesley

Steven Hill

Tracy Wesley

Toletha Wesley Dean and

Willie Dean

Ivan Teal

Marquel Wesley

JoVonna Roe Everett

Lawrence Briggans, Jr

Keira Wesley

Brauck Wesley

Marlon Wesley

Tyler Busher

TREMENDOUS EFFORTS BY THE ORGANIZING BODY - REVIVALISTS

Irvings Briggans

Wesleys Scourtens

Teals

Scotts Parks Thompsons

DYNAMIC FAMILY SUPPORT

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS

Yesha Ministries and The Robinson Family

MINISTRY & FAMILY SUPPORT

Jace Robinson

MUSIC MINISTRY

STANDUP BUILDERS

MEDIA, PA

BUILDERS WITH VISION

Interior design construction considers all factors of what a client wants when planning out their dream home These professionals bring a different perspective to the project because they have discussed the home design in detail with the client The earlier you include an interior designer in the construction process, the more seamlessly the moving parts come together