Next Journey Stories lecture to honor Dr. King

The final lecture of the Smithsonian Exhibition lecture series is scheduled to be held at Mt. Zion Church of God in Christ at 2021 Monticello Street in Hazlehurst at 7:00 p.m. on January 18 and is open to the public. The event honors the journey story of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Deanne Dewer from the University of Southern Mississippi, the scholar for the Journey Stories exhibit, will present Martin Lurther King, Jr. and the Church of God in Christ Church. Elder J.R. Williams will also speak.

The discussion not only honors Martin Luther King, Jr. but examines the historical significance of the Church of God in Christ in relation to King and how King’s journey is tied to Hazlehurst.

On the eve of his assassination, April 2, 1968, King delivered his famous Mountaintop speech at Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee–the headquarters for the Church of God in Christ. This church is one of the largest black denominations in the world. The church was founded and organized by Elder Charles Harrison Mason of Memphis, Tennessee with the help of C.P. Jones  of Jackson, MS; Elder J. E. Jeter of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Elder W. S. Pleasant of Hazlehurst, MS. in 1897 in Lexington, MS. These men launched a spiritual effort that currently has several million members and Mason Temple, the spiritual center for the denomination, was the location of the last speech given by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Date: January 18

Location:  Mt. Zion Church of God in Christ, Monticello St.

Time: 7:00 p.m.