Washington Chapel C.M.E. in Parkville held its annual Black History Month celebration on Sunday, Feb. 22.
More than 50 guests gathered at the church to honor Sheriff Eric Holland of Platte County and Deputy Chief Joseph Mabin from the Kansas City Police Department. Holland and Mabin are descendants of original members of Washington Chapel and are notable Black leaders in the community.
Lucille Douglass, member of the congregation and the board for Washington Chapel, acted as emcee. Dr. Cora Thompson talked about the history of the church and community. Reverend Nicky Wright gave the opening and benediction. Dr Adrian Singletary, Park Hill School District campus safety and activities, member of the Banneker School Foundation Board introduced Dr. Vanna Easley, principal of Angeline Washington Elementary School.
Easley talked about the importance of knowing the history of the pioneering black woman, Angeline Washington. Washington was a formerly enslaved black woman who helped establish the first black Freedman’s School known as Banneker School. She also helped establish the Washington Chapel Church that bears her name. Easley noted the entrance of Angeline Washington Elementary held an interactive display that touted her legacy.
Parkville Chief of Police Kevin Chrisman introduced Holland and Mabin. He presented certificates from the church to honor the two officers for their dedication and service as well as their examples of Black leadership in their communities.
Holland is the first Black sheriff of Platte County, but has a long history of serving the community in law enforcement, education and as a lawyer since 1999. His father, who is over 80 years old and a notable historian of Black history, accompanied the sheriff. Holland said he owed much of who he is to his parents and is blessed to be in this position. Holland noted that “we stand in the shadows of the people who paved the way for us to be here.”
Mabin is a descendant of one of the founding members of the church. Mabin has a long 22 year history of serving the Kansas City metro in law enforcement. He served as the interim chief of police for Kansas City in 2022. Mabin recalled that his great-grandfather served his last calling as a C.M.E. pastor at Washington Chapel. He said his father had attended the church from junior high to high school.
The ceremony concluded with song and prayer for the protection of men and women in law enforcement.
Washington Chapel continued its month long celebration of Black History with a spaghetti dinner and silent auction, Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Parkville Presbyterian Church. More than 150 guests attended, helping raise more than $4,000 for the restoration and ADA compliance of Washington Chapel C.M.E.
Built in 1907 by formerly enslaved people and their descendants, Washington Chapel is now on the National Register of Historic Places. It is currently being restored to serve as a church, event space, and community center.
The evening featured a panel discussion on the history of the Black community in Parkville and Platte County with the Douglass sisters, Pearl Spencer, Dr. Cora Thompson, and Lucille Douglass. Additionally, Barb Leutke provided an overview of her upcoming book, Erased, which explores the missing history of Black citizens in the area.
Our silent auction was a success thanks to generous donations, including artwork by Alex and J.R. Hamil, Alyssa Woodbridge, and Rebecca Tombough. Other notable items included gift baskets from Cheeky Bird KC and Lise Courtney, as well as unique bookends and a plaque crafted from original Washington Chapel pews.
All proceeds from this event go directly toward the Washington Chapel Restoration project.