RVA Black Love Fest

12/31/2024

COME WORSHIP WITH US!
You are invited to Second Baptist Church, West End, at 1400 Idlewood Avenue
Richmond, Virginia, 23220, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, for Watch Night service.

10/22/2024

Everyone is invited! We look forward to seeing you.

178-year-old West End church presses forward in faith
with Homecoming celebration, revival Oct. 27-29

RICHMOND, Va. — Faith might seem hard to come by these days, but the congregation of a 178-year-old Second Baptist Church, at 1400 Idlewood Avenue, in the Randolph community on the West End of Richmond, is “Pressing Forward in Faith.”

This theme for its Homecoming/Church Anniversary celebration at 11 a.m. Sunday, October 27, 2024, is based on Philippians 3:14: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (KJV)

The Rev. Dr. Charlotte McSwine, a “daughter” of Second Baptist, and pastor of Charles City Community Church in Charles City, Va., will preach at the celebration.

Second Baptist will extend the celebration for two days with a revival, on Monday and Tuesday, October 28-29, 2024, starting at 7 p.m. nightly.

Preacher and teacher the Rev. Dr. Timothy Jones returns to his hometown of Richmond to preach for the revival at Second Baptist. Also known as the Rev. Dr. Timothy Levi Adkins-Jones, he is the pastor of the historic Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. He is the grandson of the Rev. Leroy Jones of Richmond.

Dr. Janet Copeland will be the musician for the two nights.

Church history says that during the great revival of 1831, many people of African heritage were admitted to membership in the Second Baptist Church, which was a white congregation. In 1846, 51 members, feeling the urge of greater service to God and man, voluntarily withdrew, and the Second Baptist for people of color was born.

The Rev. Dr. James Henry Harris, pastor of Second Baptist, says: “Second Baptist has been serving the community for 178 years, and we will move into our next phase with a revival, much like the church started. We invite everyone to celebrate with us on Sunday and get revived Monday and Tuesday.”

For more information, contact the church at 804-353-7682 or email [email protected].

10/18/2024

Where is the love we desperately seek? At the Black Community Love Festival in the West End on Oct. 26

RICHMOND, Va. — Where is the love we desperately seek? People are asking that question in these times.

A lot of it will be at Second Baptist Church, West End, at 1400 Idlewood Avenue in Richmond, on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, from 12 to 4 p.m. during the 25th annual Black Community Love Festival.

The celebration of love will radiate as voices of glee from giveaways, vendors, bouncy houses, and all-around fun saturate the air.

Second Baptist Church (West End) and the Randolph Neighborhood Association will host the annual festival, which was created in 2008 because of the perceived increasing lack of consciousness and self-esteem in the Black community, says Pastor James Henry Harris of Second Baptist. There are many issues that impact the Black community. However, at the top of the list would be violence, Black-on-Black crime, high school dropout rates, increasing number of Black males incarcerated and health and the wellness of children, youth, and adults.

The Black Community Love Festival is a day filled with fellowship with the Randolph community, music from local performers, and fun activities/engagement for the kids, and to celebrate the overall love of Black Culture within the city of Richmond. There will be health, informational, clothing, food, and various other vendors on site; a vintage car show for car enthusiasts; and live entertainment, ranging from a physical fitness demonstration to a comedian.

The Black Community Love Festival is committed to providing positive self-esteem activities that encourage dialogue and self-reflection, resulting in respect and love for self and others.

For more information about the festival, call the church at 804-353-7682 or email [email protected].

Vendors interested in participating should email [email protected].