Zion Chapel to celebrate Hiram Revels with bust in his honor
Sep 6, 2023 | 3:56 PM
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Rev. Birdon Mitchell, pastor of Zion Chapel A.M.E.
Chapel, said Hiram Revels was a man of many accomplishments. |
NATCHEZ, Miss. – Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church will
celebrate the legacy of Hiram Rhodes Revels this month with a bust in his honor
created by Bob Willis of Oklahoma. The bust will be unveiled in a ceremony in
the church at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, at 228 N. Dr. M.L. King St.
The Rev. Birdon Mitchell, pastor of Zion Chapel, said he
was excited about the opportunity to pay homage to Revels.
“I, along with the Zion Chapel family, am ecstatic that
Hiram Revels, a former pastor of our church, the first president of Alcorn
College, and the first person of color to serve in the United State
Senate, is being recognized in our community,” he said. “The Lord’s name
be praised! I’m truly thankful to all who are involved in making this event
possible.”
The unveiling is free to the public. It is, in part, a
celebration of Revels’ birthday, according to Norma West, event organizer.
Revels was born on Sept. 27, 1827.
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A banner featuring Bishop Richard Allen and Hiram Revels
is displayed on the second floor of Zion Chapel A.M.E. Chapel. |
the 1860s, and in 1870, he became the first African American lawmaker to serve
in the United States Congress. Following his time in office, Revels became the
first president of Alcorn A&M College, which is now Alcorn State
University, in Lorman.
fitting that this bust will be placed at Zion Chapel, from whose pulpit he
entered the United States Senate and made history,” said Carter Burns,
executive director of Historic Natchez Foundation. “I’m thrilled to see him
honored in this way.
Visit Natchez, said that he and Visit Natchez are assisting with the event.
honoring Hiram Revels with this important work of art by Bob Willis,” he
said. “We’re asking local residents and visitors alike to come out to this
church program and learn more about Revels and his role in Natchez’s rich
cultural history.”
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Sculptor Bob Willis was selected by Zion Chapel A.M.E.
Church to sculpt the bust of Hiram Revels. |
The ceremony will feature music by Tony Fields and
presentations by Mitchell, Willis, and Mayor Dan Gibson.
Willis is a retired pastor with a passion for telling
stories through his art. His work shows a special interest in Natchez’s
history. Over the years, he has sculpted several busts related to Natchez,
including one of John Roy Lynch, which he donated to the Natchez Museum of
African American History and Culture.
Willis said he appreciates the opportunity to recognize
Revels through his work. “It was my honor to sculpt a bust of Hiram Revels,
recognizing his faithful service to his community, to our Country, and to our
God,” he said.
For more information on the Hiram R. Revels unveiling
ceremony, call 601-807-0454.
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Bob Willis’ bust of John R. Lynch is on display at the
Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. Lynch was born enslaved in 1847 in Concordia Parish, Louisiana. In 1872, he became the first African American speaker of the Mississippi state house. He also represented Mississippi in the U.S. House of Representatives. |
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