National Park Service to host Dedication and Grand Opening of the Historic African Methodist Episcopal Church July 31st for the Nicodemus Homecoming Celebration

The town of Nicodemus will celebrate its 143rd Annual Emancipation Celebration and Homecoming event July 29 through August 1st, 2021. Among the scheduled activities and programs on this special weekend, will be a dedication and grand opening of the recently restored African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, one of the five primary historic structures in Nicodemus. The dedication is scheduled on Satuday, July 31st, at 1 p.m.

The AME Church is currently the only Federal owned facility within the Township of Nicodemus. The National Park Service

(NPS), through special project funding, was able to renovate and return the AME building to a sound and usable structure. “

The dedication and grand opening of the AME Church will be a very special occasion for Nicodemus National Historic Site and the community,” said Superintendent Frank Torres. “Park visitors will now have the opportunity to experience another aspect of Nicodemus history.”

The dedication will include special guest speaker AME Clergy, an NPS representative keynote speaker, dignitaries, and special musical selections. Following the dedication, a ribbon ceremony and grand opening of the AME Church will take place. Guests and attendees will have the opportunity to tour the building for the first time to view exhibits and experience a “glimpse of the past.” On the following day, Sunday, August 1st, at 10:00 a.m., a traditional AME Church Service will be held outdoors under a large canopy next to the church.

Live steaming of these events will be available on the Nicodemus National Historic Site Facebook social media pages.

For more information, please call 785-839-4233 or you may visit the park website at www.nps.gov/nico.