Name: 89th Heaven Bound
Start: 2019-11-08T19:00:00-05:00
End: 2019-11-09T22:00:00-05:00
Location: 220 Auburn Ave NE

89th Heaven Bound

Big Bethel AME ChurchOrganizer of Heaven BoundB﻿ig Bethel AME ChurchFirst and foremost, Big Bethel AME Church, the oldest African American congregation in the  city  of Atlanta, has been a house of worship and refuge for believers in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Throughout its 178- year- plus history, Big Bethel has been an important community institution that has served as a leader, innovator, advocate, and convener.Historical records indicate that the congregation, variously known as Old Bethel, Bethel, the African Methodist Episcopal Tabernacle, and finally Big Bethel, was formed before the incorporation of Atlanta on December 28, 1847. However, the roots of the congregation of Big Bethel emanated from the population of Terminus, GA, which incorporated under the name of Marthasville in 1843. Thus, the first colored church in Marthasville was established, and it was Methodist. In 1847, the City officials determined that the township of Marthasville was destined to become the railroad center of the South; thus, the name Marthasville was changed to Atlanta.Big Bethel rapidly grew to become a center of the community as well as a focal point for social action.Learn more﻿

Big Bethel AME Church

<P>An article in Time magazine dated August 10, 1931, stated the following, 'This is the import of almost every Negro spiritual; it is the import of a morality play called Heaven Bound which has made its appearance in Atlanta, performed by the choirs of Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. First wide public to hear about Heaven Bound was the theatrical world. Theatre Guild Magazine for August called it "the first great American folk drama" and said: "It should and probably will make Georgia an American Oberammergau."Recalling the power of The Green Pastures, a Negro religion play written by a white man (Time, March 10, 1930), observers hastened to inspect a genuine all-Negro product of the same kind, produced for religious instead of commercial purposes. Last week in Atlanta was given the 31st performance of Heaven Bound. Its conflict is the effort of the Devil to catch pilgrims on their way to Heaven. Heaven Bound was performed publicly for the first time at the Atlanta City Auditorium in October 1930.'</P>
<P>Pastor John Foster, Senior Pastor, Big Bethel AME Church, invites you to come and celebrate the 89th production of the longest-running play in North America. Bring the entire family for this wonderful morality play and enjoy an evening of spiritual songs and devilish shenanigans.</P>

220 Auburn Ave NE

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89th Heaven Bound

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89th Heaven Bound

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