Cablethon raises $20,000 for historic AME church move

Warwick - They did it. On Sunday, Aug. 19, the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick in partnership with the Union African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) raised more than $20,000 during a five-hour cablethon. The broadcast, hosted by Dick Wells, and simulcast by both Cablevision and WVT Communications, was held to raise money so that the 101-year old historic Union AME Church building could be preserved and moved from its current location on McEwen Street to a new site on Forester Avenue. On July 7, Bishop Richard Franklin Norris from the First Episcopal District and Union AME Pastor Rev. Vernon H. Peters officiated at a ground-breaking ceremony for the congregation’s new church facility. Construction will begin next month. “We’re there,” said Mayor Michael Newhard, who reported that as a result of the successful cablethon the partnership had achieved its overall goal of $60,000 needed to move the building. Newhard reported that in addition to large donations by several individual donors and businesses as well as churches and organizations such as Christ Episcopal, St. Stephen’s, Warwick Rotary and Warwick Lions among others, there were hundreds of small donations that demonstrated true community spirit. “And every penny counted,” he said. “As a result, we’re meeting with the building moving company on Tuesday.” Once in place, the historic Union AME church building will be open to the public as a museum documenting the history of the African American community in this area. For additional information about the partnership contact the mayor at 986-2031 or Peter Lyons Hall at 258-1010. Any person, business or organization wishing to help the Union AME Church reach its new building fund goal should call 986-3649. Donations can be mailed to Union AME Church, attention: Building Committee, P.O. Box 352, Warwick, NY 10990.