For a history lesson,
try the Campbell Scoop

By Diane Villano
Times Staff Writer

For the roughly 250 members of the Campbell African Methodist Episcopal Church, there’s plenty of reason to celebrate this year.
The Frankford church is observing its 200th anniversary.
Campbell, at 1661 Kinsey St., claims to be the second-oldest AME church in the country, surpassed only by the Mother Bethel Church in South Philadelphia, which was organized in 1787 by preachers Absolom Jones and Richard Allen, who is regarded as the founder of the AME movement.
In fact, when the first meetings of the Frankford church were held in 1807 — in the home of Sara Gongo on Bowser Lane, now known as Plum Street — members called it the Second Bethel Church.
When the church moved to its original frame structure in 1836, it was renamed the Bishop Campbell Second African Methodist Episcopal Church, a tribute to the Right Rev. Jabez Pitt Campbell, who is memorialized by a stained-glass window featuring a cross and shield.
Although Royal Black may not share such a lofty honor, the longtime church member, now 80, is pictured in a 1935 churchyard photo that hangs on a wall of the meeting room at Campbell AME. During a recent visit by 13 sixth-graders who attend Frankford Friends, Black noted the photo and told the kids he was the one with the halo, though they insisted they couldn’t see it.
The students’ trip to Campbell AME was part of an ongoing collaboration involving the Campbell church elders, the school at 1501 Orthodox St., and the Historical Society of Frankford.
Since the school and church had an established elder-and-child program, and in recognition of Campbell’s bicentennial celebration this year, they teamed with the historical society and local historian Harry Silcox to collect oral histories of the elders. These recollections will be the basis of reports and presentations featured during a May 6 exhibit at the Historical Society of Frankford.
For the youngsters, last week’s visit to the church followed an earlier field trip to Mother Bethel Church. Students will compare the churches in their writings, explained teacher Elaine Ballangee.
"They’ve had three different presentations about pre-Civil War, after the Civil War and during the civil-rights movement. We started with that as part of their class work," the teacher said. "We’re trying to flesh out the time period during the civil-rights movement, get what race relations were like."
Church-elder women have been meeting with the students since January.
"It’s really wonderful to watch the kids and them," Ballangee said. "It’s nice for them to realize what an elder person has to give, and likewise that kids can be a good source of enthusiasm. It’s back and forth mentoring."
The children toured not only the church but its cellar, where Campbell AME’s own oral histories offer that it was a stop along the Underground Railroad that guided fugitive slaves to safety.
"The seniors in church used to talk about it," Black said.
He could recall that, as a child, he noticed a pair of out-of-the-way closets that seemed forgotten and falling apart. At Frankford Friends, noted Ballangee, similar structures have been found at the school.
Although those clandestine closets at Campbell are long gone, Black pointed out to the students that he had passed on its oral history to them, and that they were now part of the chain.
"I felt rather privileged to pass on to someone part of my own personal experience, as well as the history of the church and the history of Frankford," Black said. "It’s very difficult to separate Campbell from Frankford since it has held such an important place in its history."
Talking with the children took Black to his own childhood in the church, where his father, Roman H. Black, was the Sunday school superintendent. Black told his young listeners that he could recall being christened in the church when he was just 4.
"I remember Reverend Reed and I remember not particularly liking the cold water he placed on my forehead," Black said.
The students have enjoyed their time learning more about the church, their elders, and Campbell AME’s place in the community.
"I think it’s interesting . . . we get to have fun but are learning at the same time," said Ashley Bergman, 12.
Arielle Wygant, 11, was intrigued that her elder, Eleanor, had lived in Frankford all of her life.
"She worked in an umbrella factory," Arielle said.
Justin Mendez, 11, liked learning about the Underground Railroad the best. The Frankford Friends students also explored the cemetery. Justin cleared twigs off the grave of someone named Harrison.
"There’s a lot of history and a lot of lives here," historian Harry Silcox said.
He called the children over to a grave bearing the name of Wilson Barrett, who died on July 10, 1903. It also was noted that he’d been a member of Company B Cavalry.
"In all likelihood," Silcox told the students, "he fought in the Civil War. Find out about Wilson Barrett." ••
Reporter Diane Villano can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dvillano@phillynews.com