Alabama Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America will celebrate its 100th birthday year, and though events have taken place throughout the year, this Friday will mark one of three key points in the yearlong centennial celebration.

It all starts 11 a.m. Friday at the Limestone County Archives, where past and present members of the church will gather for historical reflections, a hymn-lining performance and a centennial display, according to a press release. Venessa Edmonds, secretary of the church’s board of directors, said the community and anyone who attended the school that preceded the church is invited to attend.

The hymn-lining performance will feature mother-daughter duo Lovie and Deidre Swoope.

“Within the African-American culture, line-hymn singing was very instrumental and unique,” Edmonds said. “The event we’re doing Friday is focusing on some of the things the way we used to do them.”

The centennial display, she said, will feature photos of church members, historical records and information about the church’s denomination. There will also be photos of former pastors and even a robe from one of the former pastors.

Edmonds said Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks would be there to sign a proclamation for the church’s centennial, while Limestone County Archivist Rebekah Davis will share some of the church’s history.

“Crossing this milestone has been a tremendous effort of love and support from the community,” said church board member Bernice Lockett.

September

The next signature event is a centennial celebration worship at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Elkmont CPCA, with a reception to follow. Even though they serve on the board at Alabama Fork, it is Elkmont CPCA that Lockett and her husband, George Lockett Jr., call home.

Edmonds’ father, the late Rev. Oscar Edmonds, served as a pastor for both Elkmont and Alabama Fork for several years. His legacy will be one of the many honored at this year’s events.

“Our love for the church speared from our parents’ love for the church,” Bernice Lockett said.

The worship is designed to “give glory to God, celebrate the faithfulness of God, celebrate a rich heritage and rededicate and recommit ourselves to the service of the Lord,” the press release said.

Lockett said Alabama Fork CPCA had suffered dwindling numbers, and the centennial celebrations are a celebration of both the church’s history and its rejuvenation.

“We wanted to restore and reopen the church, and build back the community,” Lockett said. “We want to share the gift the Lord has given to each of us.”

December

The grand finale is scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Limestone County Event Center. An afternoon of music, heavy hors d’oeuvres and legacy recognition is planned, with tickets available for $55 each and opportunities for sponsorships still open.

“We’re going to highlight three denominational leaders,” Edmonds said, referring to the Rev. Edmonds, the late Rev. McKinley Jones and the late Rev. Henry Ewing. “… They have been instrumental to so many lives in the church. Two of them served 50-plus years, and we will salute and do a tribute to them.”

Edmonds said there will be dancing and a portrayal of the leaders by church children. There will also be music from award-winning American gospel singer-songwriter Babbie Mason.

“She’s amazing,” Edmonds said of Mason.

All of the events are open to the public. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to the church’s outreach programs.

“This is the epitome of Alabama Fork CPCA — community-oriented and open to anyone who would like to be a part of this,” Edmonds said.

The church’s community outreach seeks to help widows, orphans and ex-offenders, according to the event’s press release. The church also seeks to award a workforce development training scholarship to those who qualify.

“We just want to thank the community for helping us be able to do what we do,” Lockett said, “and we hope to do a lot more.”

For more information on any of the events, call 256-340-4824.