Connecting Church and Community

Khalil Gilbran Muhammad Old First Presbyterian Church Nikole Hannah-Jones

Focusing on culture, community advocacy, and social justice work, The Mission’s Committee of Old First Presbyterian Church in Newark was creator of New York Times Magazine’s The 1619 Project. The community conversation moderated by Ford Foundation Professor of History and 1619 Project originally a congregational church. Founded in 1666 it became a presbyterian church in 1720, and is the oldest church in Newark, NJ. The original church structure was on the opposite side of Broad Street, across from its location today and was Newark’s first public building. The present church structure, containing subterranean tunnels believed to have been used as stations on the Underground Railroad, opened in 1787.

In 2019, Old First Presbyterian Church’s Mission Community Conversation began hosting discussions with prominent community leaders, activists, and organizers. One such leader is Nikole Hannah- Jones, Contributor Khalil Gilbran Muhammad, brought together those interested in hearing, learning, and talking about our history. The program “Reckoning with the Truth,” began on September 18, with entertainment by young people from the Vanguard Theater Company of Montclair. The conversation focused on how we look at the historical record, beginning in 1619 through the lens of chattel slavery and its effect on the economy and success of the United States. Members of the audience were encouraged to ask questions. A book signing session and voter registrations concluded the program.