The spread of the coronavirus has forced the cancellation of church services across the world.
But two local churches are using the situation to come together.
Charlotte's First Presbyterian Church and First United Presbyterian Church have a shared history that in some way is cemented by shared pain.
“Mainly because of the ways First Pres treated people of color, and what I mean by that, relegating folks to sit in the balcony, offering the basement as a place of worship on Monday night,” said the Rev. Pen Perry, of First Presbyterian Church.
First Presbyterian Church, founded in the 1820s, was once home to both black and white members, though blacks weren't treated equally.
By the 1860s, a former slave led the charge for black members to start their own church, which now stands as First United Presbyterian.
The two congregations had been worshiping separately for nearly 200 years.
“One of my colleagues, Anna Dickson, it was her idea that we reach out to Reverend Small and First United in these moments,” said Perry.
These moments can best be described as a global pandemic when a lot of churches have transitioned their services online.
That includes the original First Presbyterian and First United, which agreed to hold its online services together.
“We never anticipated anything like this coming out of this current situation, and we are truly thankful to First Pres for their hospitality and really their love,” said the Rev. Lorenzo Small, of First United Presbyterian Church.
The road to reconciliation between two churches has been in the works for almost a decade.
Back in 2016, during protests in Charlotte over a controversial officer-involved shooting, First Presbyterian sent a written letter to First United -- apologizing for the past.
“That has led to more healing, reconciliation and relationship between our two churches,” said Perry.
“That’s what I’m hoping will continue on the back side of this. Not just with our two congregations, but I think the church is universal regardless of denominations,” said Small.
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