Historic Devon AME Church To Host Virtual MLK Day Remembrance

TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP, PA — The historically important Mt. Zion AME Church in Devon is hosting a virtual event to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-157th) said today she will join the virtual program to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 18.

"I am so proud to partner with the historic Mt. Zion AME Church in Devon to bring together a virtual program to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," Shusterman said today.

The historic Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church is the oldest continuing congregation in the denomination, established in 1849. The church was recognized in 2020 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for its central historic role in the “Berwyn School Segregation Case,” a historic battle for civil rights in the early 1930s.

The case began when Tredyffrin and Easttown school board leaders planned to segregate all Black students, teachers, and staff in two older schools, while the existing high school and a new elementary school would be reserved for white students.

The decision was in line with the U.S. Supreme Court 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that established "separate but equal," but the families of 212 Black children stood up to the decision. They worked together to boycott the segregated schools, and Mount Zion A.M.E. Church was the site of many organizational meetings.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day event begins on Zoom at 7 p.m. on Monday and space is limited to 100 attendees. Shusterman's announcement said the event is free and is expected to last until 8:30 p.m.

To receive Zoom link and password, residents can register at http://bit.ly/3nHepQD by Jan. 17 at noon.

Read about the Mt. Zion AME's recent recognition here and here.