NEW - The city of Springfield has placed new wrappers around the pillar markers located around downtown. Click here for photos.

7th Solemn Assembly

Ministerial Alliance of Springfield & Vicinity
Contact: Dr. Wes McNeese

8th & Final Solemn Assembly
Saturday August 2, 2008
“2008 YEAR OF RECONCILIATION”

ANNOUNCEMENT

Come and be part of a new chapter in the history of Springfield, Illinois by participating in the 8th and final Solemn Assembly in the 2008 Year of Reconciliation sponsored by the The Ministerial Alliance of Springfield and Vicinity and Praying for Revival All Year (P.R.A.Y.) The Assembly will be held on Saturday August 2, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 815 South 6th Street in Springfield, Illinois.

A march to the Old State Capitol and the 8th - 1908 Race Riot Marker located between Fifth and Sixth Street will immediately follow. This marker is located near the site of the old Sangamon County Courthouse where Joe James, a black man was tried and convicted of the murder of Clergy Ballard. Considered a minor at the time he nonetheless was executed on October 23, 1908. It was also at the courthouse during a grand jury investigation that Mabel Hallam admitted that she fabricated a false rape accusation against George Richardson which helped to spark the 1908 riot and where a grand jury returned 107 indictments against 80 white rioters resulting in one conviction for petty larceny.

The theme for the 8th Solemn Assembly will be on Justice & Mercy. The “2008 Year of Reconciliation” is a series of special monthly events planned to coincide with the city’s commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of the 1908 race riot. The focus of these events is on the spiritual themes of reconciliation and healing. For more information visit the Alliance website at:

www.SpringfieldMinisterialAlliance.org

Download announcement as pdf file.

Abraham Lincoln Washington to
Address Solemn Assembly

Pastor Abraham Lincoln Washington

SPRINGFIELD- Abraham Lincoln Washington, Pastor of Rock of Our Salvation Evangelical Free Church located on Chicago’s west side, will address the 8th and Final Solemn Assembly in the “2008 Springfield Year of Reconciliation.” The assembly will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. until Noon at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception downtown Springfield. A march to the 1908 Race Riot Marker at the Old State Capitol will immediately follow where prayers focused on the theme of Justice & Mercy will be offered.

“We welcome Pastor Washington to Springfield and look forward to his participation in this spiritual and historical event,” said Sister Mary Jean Traeger, of St. Katherine Drexel Parish and a member of the Ministerial Alliance.

Rock Church was founded in 1983 by Washington’s older brother Raleigh Washington and from the beginning has blazed a trail in the area of racial reconciliation. Located in one of the largest and poorest areas of Chicago, Rock Church forged a partnership with Glen Kehrein, Executive Director of Circle Urban Ministries and together they have offered a holistic approach to ministry addressing both the physical and spiritual needs of the community for over two decades. Racial reconciliation has always been an important part of this relationship as both ministries have sought not only to talk about reconciliation but to actively live it out in a community affected by racial strife. In 1998 Abraham Lincoln Washington became Pastor of Rock Church and the two ministries were joined. More information about their dynamic ministry can be found by visiting www.circleurban.org

Seven previous Solemn Assemblies have been held on the first Saturday of each month since January in the “2008 Springfield Year of Reconciliation”

“God has blessed our prayer efforts over the past months and I sense He has forgiven our sin and is beginning to heal the land. May His name be glorified” said Dr. W.G. Robinson-McNeese, President of the Ministerial Alliance of Springfield.

Designated prayer leaders from Springfield’s faith community will participate in this final assembly. Some of the leaders are Bishop George Lucas, Rev. T. Ray McJunkins, Sister Katherine O’Conner, Leroy Jordan and Pastor Steve Seiple

Mayor Tim Davlin, Chief of Police Ralph Caldwell, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Walter Milton, Jr. and other City Officials have been invited to attend.

Remembering and Reconciling

In 1908 there was a riot in Springfield, Illinois based upon skin color. In 2008 we are remembering and looking forward to embracing reconciliation, understanding, forgiveness and acceptance.

The Ministerial Alliance of Springfield and P.R.A.Y. (Praying for Revival All Year Committee) have proclaimed this year the 2008 Year of Reconciliation.

springfieldreconciliation.org is not officially associated with either the Ministerial Alliance of Springfield, or P.R.A.Y., but it supports their endeavor to promote harmony and reconciliation in our community.

Please review the 1908 Riot page for some photos of the markers that designate the different events that happened around Springfield during the riot.

Check back as more information is added to the site.

Year of Reconciliation

Ministerial Alliance of Springfield proclaims the Year of Reconciliation.

State Journal Register launches web site about the riot.

This web site has detailed coverage of many aspects of the riot including (the names below are the names of the web page articles):