shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com February 28, 2017 • Page 13 Keeping History Alive BY RANDY DOCKENDORF randy.dockendorf@yankton.net Many people don’t even know the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Allen Chapel exists in Yankton, let alone its importance to the region’s history. Yankton resident Michael Schumacher is working to preserve the small, historically black church dating back to the 1880s. “This was one of the first black churches in the area. Many of the first black residents of Yankton were free men who came up from Nebraska,” he said. “The black church wasn’t only a place to worship. It also served as a gathering place that promoted culture, community and music.” Schumacher admits many people routinely drive by the church at 508 Cedar Street, not realizing its presence or significance. “The neighboring house juts out, with the church set back from the street. And there’s no signage on the AME chapel,” he said. “Many people have lived in Yankton their entire lives and don’t know it’s here.” But now, Schumacher is encouraging people to visit the church. The structure no longer offers regular services and has no formal membership, but it remains a house of worship. “This is still a consecrated church. We treat it respectfully, as such,” he said. “However, we do use the church as a place for featuring historical items, because that history continues to influence Yankton.” The influence of the early black population was much greater than its numbers, Schumacher said. “This is such a part of Yankton’s history,” he said. “While less than 3 percent of our (community’s) population is African-American, the black residents play a major part in the history of Yankton. People need to know more about it.” As part of the public outreach, Schumacher is sponsoring a series of programs dedicated to the area’s black history. The series will bring the black experience alive for persons of all ages and backgrounds, with programs ranging from re-enactors to gospel music. As part of Black History Month, the series begins with a program at 2 p.m. Saturday in the church. The program is open to the public, with a freewill donation taken to offset costs. Other programs will follow throughout the spring. “This Saturday, we’re bringing Joyce Jefferson to present her portrayal of author, and former Yankton resident, Katherine Davis Chapman Tillman,” Schumacher said. “Tillman was born in 1870 and attended high school in Yankton before attending Louisville State University. During her time in Yankton, she was the Sunday School superintendent at the AME, the very church we will be in.” Tillman’s impact went far beyond the local AME Church and Yankton, Schumacher said. Her writings often appeared in the AME Church Review. Jefferson will appear in full dress as she portrays Tillman, Schumacher said. Jefferson is known for her various Chautauqua programs, he added. Those who attend Saturday’s program, or arrange other visits, will step RANDY DOCKENDORF/P&D ABOVE Michael Schumacher stands in front of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Allen Chapel in Yankton, one of the earliest black churches in the Yankton region. He is working to preserve the 1885 church and is organizing a series of concerts and programs on the area’s black history. into a church which brings to mind images of worship services and other gatherings. The sanctuary remains very open, with pews on each side of the room. The church features a cross, altar and portrait of Jesus Christ. A table stores hymnals, which remain crisp with an old-fashioned ribbon used as a place for marking places in the book. Visitors can imagine a preacher delivering a sermon and a choir singing hymns of joy and thankfulness. The church holds both a very open, inviting atmosphere but also an intimate feeling shared by the small congregation. Old-fashioned lights hang from the ceiling. A piano sits in the corner, as if waiting for someone to sit down and play for the roomful of worshippers. Schumacher noted the heightened area in the front of the church. “We had the altar railing for communion, which was raised up from the rest of the floor,” he said. “Old, well-preserved newspapers were used as protection for the floor, especially when moving things. The church’s beams are made of wood from (boat) wreckages in the Missouri River.” The church’s origin goes back to territorial days, marking Yankton’s prominence in attracting people either settling in the area or traveling along the Missouri River. “The chapel dates back to 1885. Allen Chapel was named after the founder of the AME Church,” he said. “It became a destination place for a large area and a large number of people.” The late Ted Blakey played a prominent role in keeping alive the church and its history. Blakey, who died in 2004 at age 79, was appointed Black Historian for the state of South Dakota. Job Hunting? The Help Wanted section can help. There’s something for everyone in the Shopper! Place your ad now: 605-665-5884 Even after his passing, Blakey provided for the Allen Chapel, Schumacher said. “Ted set aside an annuity to pay for the AME Church and its upkeep. The fund will cover the maintenance, utilities and taxes,” he said. “I am church administrator for the United Church of Christ (Congregational) here in Yankton, which has been appointed to oversee Allen Chapel and its continuation.” Schumacher warmly greeted visitors at the church’s front door this week. He spoke with passion about his desire to see the church become more than a vacant building. “I want people to appreciate it,” he said. “I want to take things to the next level.” The church’s entryway contains a bust of Blakey, along with a framed front page of the Press & Dakotan. A table contains articles and exhibits featuring the contributions of blacks throughout South Dakota’s history. “People recognize Ted Blakey of Yankton as a black historian, but you also have people like (city councilor) Kenny Anderson Sr. of Sioux Falls and (mayor) Bud Williams of Mitchell,” Schumacher said. “On the cultural side, we had Oscar Micheaux, who homesteaded near Gregory and became an author and a pioneer in black film making. His work dates back to 1920. Can you imagine the challenges of creating films at that time in the Upper Midwest?” The Allen Chapel also reflects two other realities about early Yankton, Schumacher said. “Religion helped develop Yankton. For example, the United Church of Christ developed Yankton College. You had other churches and their members who Let Our Family Business keep yours in the go with: • Farm Filters • Hydraulic Hoses • Bearings & Seals Cox Auto 1007 Broadway Ave. • Yankton • 665-4494 Under $5,000 2008 Chevy Impala LS Annual Walshtown Township Meeting The citizens of the Township of Walshtown in the County of Yankton, South Dakota and who are qualified to vote at township elections, are hereby notified that the Annual Township Meeting for said township will be held at the George Sees residence, 29822 NE Jim River Road, in said Township, on Tuesday, the 7th of March, 2017, from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. for the following purposes: To elect on Supervisor for the term of three years, one Township Clerk, one Treasurer, each for the term of one year, and to do any other business proper to be done at said meeting when convened. Gerald Keeley, Township Clerk dated Feb. 15, 2017 $4,995 provided leadership,” he said. “Another thing, Yankton was never segregated. The folks just lived and worked with each other. I’m not saying we had a sanitized past, but we weren’t separated like other areas.” Schumacher shared the listing so far of events planned this spring. On March 11, a concert will feature singer-songwriter J. Jeffrey Messerole of Cherokee, Iowa, while a March 25 program will feature Dr. Robin Duncan of Sioux Falls portraying black abolitionist Frederick Douglass. On April 29, the “Sing, Sioux Falls, Sing” group will present a gospel concert. On May 20, Maytha Alhassen, a professor at the University of Southern California, will give a presentation on black civil rights leader Malcolm X. Schumacher may add other events this spring. “I would like to do some worship services during Lent, maybe something like a Taize service,” he said. “I would love to make this an ongoing series, with something every month.” The Yankton community has made great strides with its restoration of historical buildings such as GAR Hall and the Mead Building, Schumacher said. In the same manner, Allen Hall provides not only history but a gathering spot where people of all races and backgrounds can gather for peaceful sharing. “I want to be able to bring my 13-yearold daughter to a place like this,” he said. “We don’t want our history to become diminished. People moved here because of this church, worshipped here and made friends here. “This is all part of our history. If we don’t preserve it, we’ve lost a treasure.” Follow @RDockendorf on Twitter. Jamesville Township Annual Meeting Tuesday, March 7th, 2017 7:30 p.m. Kevin Kirschenmann Residence Full Power New Tires 116K, Tan Interior Great Family Car 605-665-3720 • Yankton, SD Annual Township Meeting Mission Hill Township (N) Tuesday, March 7th, 2017 at 7:00 pm As per South Dakota Codified Law 8-3-1 The Citizens of the Township of Mission Hill Township (N) in the County of Yankton, South Dakota and who are qualified to vote at Township elections are hereby notified that the Annual Township Meeting for said Township will be held at Vangen Lutheran Church, Mission Hill on Tuesday March 7th 2017 at 7:00 PM, for the following purposes: To elect One (1) Supervisor for the term of three years; One (1) Township Clerk for the term of one year, One (1) Treasurer for the term of one year, and other regular business as required. The agenda will be posted at the meeting place 24 hours in advance. 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