The Abyssinian Meeting House, 73-75 Newbury Street, on the East End of Portland Where the First Annual Block Party Happens on May 11, 2024. One Purpose of the Event is to Get the Community Involved in the Building that Has Been Closed for Many Years to the Public.
Katelyn Manfre, of Portland Ovations with Composer Daniel B. Rpumain at the Portland Ovations Office Earlier This Year.
You are invited to the First Annual Abyssinian Meeting House Block Party on Saturday, May 11, 2024, The outdoor event runs from 3:00 – 8:30 pm at the 75 Newbury Street address on Munjoy Hill.
It’s an opportunity to learn more about Portland’s Black history. And it’s also an invitation to the public to become involved in upcoming activities at the Meeting House. The day is intended to mark, reclaim and celebrate this site of significance and enduring legacy of the Black community at the Abyssinian Meeting House.
The schedule for the Block Party is as follows:
Between 3:00 – 6:00 pm, there will be community events at partnering sites that include the historic Eastern Cemetery, 224 Congress Street and at the Indigo Arts Alliance, 60 Cove Street,;
From 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm There will be outdoor performances by local artists; and
At 7:00 – 8:30 pm., There will be a performance featuring Boston-based composer and musician Daneil B. Rpumain inside the Abyssinian Meeting House. He will be unveiling an original work for the occasion, inviting local artists from diverse backgrounds to respond to the piece, ECHOES.
Newbury Street will be closed to vehicular traffic during the Block Party.
Last October, the Committee to Restore the Abyssinian learned that HUD had finally approved its $1.7 million funding for the restoration for the Black church completed in 1828 by freed Black members of the east end community who knew they were not welcome in other churches in the area. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) secured the funds for the restoration of the building.
The Meeting House survived the Great Fire of 1866 when not much else did in the area. Credit for that is given to Reuben Ruby who founded the church. He stood on the roof of the building covering it with wet blankets until he was able to contain the fire. However, a large section of the back wall was badly charred by the Fire.
If you are able to attend the Block Party hosted by Portland Ovations on Saturday, May 11, 2024, you will be able to learn much more of the history of this landmark building. It seems especially important to celebrate the survival of this Meeting House in light of the efforts of some to white-wash Black history through the banning of books and other means to make our shameful history go away.
For more background information, please visit posts herein dated May 21, 2009, November 16, 2022 and October 24, 2023.