A part of Ridgefield history in the last century, little-known today, is the story of the Goodwill Baptist Church, founded in 1941 and gone about 35 years later, when the church disbanded and its building on Creamery Lane was sold.
To commemorate Black History Month, the Ridgefield Historical Society will host an illustrated presentation, The Story of Ridgefield’s First Black Church,on Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Church North Hall, 353 Main Street, Ridgefield, followed by a reception. The snow date is Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m.
Ridgefield resident and educator Christine Johnsmeyer, a historical society volunteer, has researched the story of this church and interviewed descendants of ministers who served here. Ms. Johnsmeyer is a graduate of Manhattanville College with a B.A. in economics and an M.A. in humanities. Her love for social history and character-driven narratives has been at the heart of her career, beginning with her work for Historic Hudson Valley as a tour guide for Kykuit, John D. Rockefeller’s estate located in Pocantico Hills, N.Y., followed by her 25 years experience as an English teacher.
Her presentation will focus on the details of the church’s founding and its final years, as well as two dynamic pastors of the church, Rev. John Percell Ball and Rev. DeWitt Stephens, who both played integral roles in the church’s life, exemplifying the significance and cultural importance of the Black church in America’s history.
For more information contact: info@ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org or 203-438-5821 or go to ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org.