Building Remembrance for Reconciliation (BR4R) is hosting “Breaking the Silence: Remembering Brown’s Chapel AME” Sunday, October 23, 2022; program begins at 2 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 602 Vermillion St., Hastings, MN.

Breaking the Silence is honoring the stories of Hastings’ early Black community that lived, worked, raised their families, fought for the right to vote, and worshipped here. In 1890 they formed the first African Methodist Episcopal congregation in Hastings, and in 1892 began worshiping in their own church, Brown’s Chapel. In 1907, Brown’s Chapel was destroyed by arson. There is no record of the crime being investigated, and the culprit(s) were never officially identified or charged. The church never reopened.

Breaking the Silence will include: 1. Gathering Music and Musical Program by Jason Craft, Contemporary Band Leader at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Hastings.

2. Welcome by Rev. Stephen Robertson, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Hastings.

3. Presentations by guest speakers Rev. Pam Ngunjiri, MN Council of Churches; Davu Seru, Musician and Assistant Professor of Practice in English at Hamline University; and James A. Curry, BR4R Chair, educator, filmmaker, Hastings Historic Black Community Descendant.

4 Jazz Trio performance featuring Bruce Henry (vocals), Dean Magraw (guitar), and Davu Seru (drums).

5. Food and refreshments follow the presentations in the Fellowship Hall.

6. Walking/driving tour of Hastings Historical Black Community Landmarks begins at 3:30 pm.

The event is free and open to the public. This special event is made possible due to the generous support of City of Hastings, MN; First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, MN; Forecast Public Art; George and Ruth Doffing Charitable Fund; Hastings Prescott Arts Council; Metropolitan Regional Arts Council; Minnesota Council of Churches; Minnesota Historical Society; and Power of 100 Women – Hastings.