Sixty years ago this month, a local Klavern of the Ku Klux Klan threatened violence to stop an integrated crew of volunteers and church members from painting Elm City’s First Presbyterian Church’s old wooden building. Governor Terry Sanford’s promise of police protection restored order.
The following month, however, when volunteers returned, state police thwarted two attempted arsonists who splashed gasoline around the church’s steps under cover of night. Recently, I learned that State Archives of North Carolina holds a collection of 32 images captured by a News and Observer photographer sent to Elm City as painting began. An unnamed freelance reporter covering the story for the New York Times seems to have been on site the same day as the photographer, mentioning the coat of white paint applied to one side of the church, the troopers guarding the site, and a small crowd of white onlookers.
Thank you Lisa for bringing this historical account to light, particularly on this day, Juneteenth, when we stop to remember and reflect on our journey of freedom. Looking at the those folks sitting on that porch, took me back to that period that helped to shape my life’s story.
I was born within weeks of this showdown, but only learned of it when I began researching for Black Wide-Awake. It is a story that must be remembered.
Best homegrowing ever!!