The Spring Garden Missionary Baptist Church is alive.

And it’s been alive for a long time — 150 years to be exact.

The church, its members and guests will honor a century and a half of service with a weekend-long celebration, and it all begins on Saturday.

“God has blessed Spring Garden for 150 years, and he’ll do it 150 more years and beyond. Because of that, we’re strong in faith, and we’re strong moving forward,” said Valerie Quinn, a church member and coordinator for the event.

The commemoration will kick off with a youth concert on Saturday night, one that will include both “the new and the old,” according to Quinn. Members from previous choirs will perform followed by a group of new singers — all part of an effort to give glory to the church’s late pastor the Rev. Ernest McNair, as one of his last ministries at Spring Garden was the youth choir.

McNair, who passed away earlier this year, was instrumental in the community; he was a 60-year veteran in educating local youth. He served as pastor at Spring Garden for nearly 50 years, and ministering children was his passion, according to Quinn.

“The whole anniversary is in honor of his legacy and all that he did for our church and community,” Quinn said.

Following the concert, Deacon Anthony Ray Northern will wrap up the night in preparation for Sunday’s festivities. He said the opportunity to be a part of his church’s history has been an incredible experience, and knowing he is making history is rewarding.

“God has granted me the privilege to live to be a part of this 150^th year. To know that this church has withstood so much, to know that God has blessed us with the transition of his children, to continue to live. … It’s one of the greatest experiences I could have as a member of the church,” Northern said.

On Sunday, the church will hold a homecoming worship service. Northern said the ceremony will recognize some of the oldest members of the church — some as old as 95-years old — as well as previous pastors of the church. Some of those recognized have put in more than 50 years of service, he said.
“These people have actually seen history take place, and they have been a part of it.

They will live on and be a part of Spring Garden history,” Northern said.

A fellowship dinner will be held following the service on Sunday, according to Quinn. She said she’s expecting it to be an exciting evening that will cap off the celebration.

Northern, in his 32-year-career as deacon at the church, said it’s given him nothing but love and appreciation. God, the church and the community all equate to what Northern called his passion.

“Good gracious — it’s a lifeline,” Northern said. “Only God could pave such an avenue.”

The youth concert begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Spring Garden Missionary Baptist Church. The homecoming service is at 11 a.m. on Sunday. All are welcome to attend. Spring Garden Missionary Baptist Church is located at 526 Gladden St. in Washington.