It Took Many Hands AND Many Hearts

Spring Valley AME Church:

Renovation and Celebration

It Took Many Hands AND Many Hearts

Preface

Spring Valley AME Church in Concordville Pennsylvania was built in 1880 as a place of worship for the local Black community. By the 1980’s with jobs moving to other areas, the church closed. During the next four decades the church saw abandonment, multiple owners, a for-sale sign, plans for both tearing it down or moving it to a different location, and even a fire. This tiny building could easily have been lost, one way or the other. But somehow it survived and by the fall of 2022, Concord Township, its current owner, will complete a total renovation- literally bringing it back from the ashes. On June 18, 2022 (Juneteenth eve), descendants of the church held a celebration to acknowledge people buried at the church. This was followed by a reception and presentation about the former Black community held at the Brandywine River Museum of Art. The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a painting of Christ by famed artist Jamie Wyeth- a reproduction will be installed in the renovated church.

The story I want to tell is The-Story-Within-The Story of the church’s survival. It’s a message that challenges today’s divisive environment where working at odds has become preferred to working together for the common good. The survival and rebirth of Spring Valley AME is proof that people of great diversity can work together. It Took Many Hands AND Many Hearts to save and celebrate Spring Valley AME. It gives me hope given the overwhelming challenges we face in today’s world.

Introduction

Spring Valley AME Church was a hub that united people from the surrounding area. It was refuge from a hard work week. It provided food for both body and soul. It was a happy place filled with prayer and music- lots of music… This was a very lively place.

In early 2021 I was introduced to Spring Valley AME Church by my friend and Concord native, Betty Byrd Smith. She would become the leader of the June 18th celebration.

Learning there had been Black communities and churches within a few miles of my home opened the floodgates for story telling. I’ve met so many wonderful people, both living and through their memories. More than learning about the past, it’s the opportunity to bring back places of worship that were the core of the former Black community. There is Spring Valley AME Church in Concordville that is nearing the end of its renovation, and Mother Archie’s Church in Chadds Ford whose work is yet to begin.

An unexpected and remarkable presence in the story of the former Black community and churches is the famed Chadds Ford artist Andrew Wyeth, father of Jamie Wyeth. His relationships in the Black community and connection to Spring Valley AME and Mother Archie’s is documented in “Andrew Wyeth Close Friends” (Mississippi Museum of Art, 2001)

I’ve come to believe that Close Friends is so much more than a collection of beautiful paintings of beautiful people. It’s about the power of relationships. Spring Valley AME would be long gone if it were not for people caring and working towards a common purpose. It Took Many Hands AND Many Hearts... of people who are here today and people who have passed... some contributions big like Concord Township’s amazing renovation, Jamie Wyeth’s beautiful painting of Christ, and Betty Byrd Smith’s bold leadership of the celebration… and some contributions small. But EVERY contribution matters… I wish the country could see the power of relationships in our little corner of the world!

From The Brink To A Treasure That Will Be

Revered And Enjoyed For Generations To Come

There were Many Hands AND Many Hearts involved in saving Spring Valley AME- my apologies to anyone I have forgotten:

1997: The Spring Valley AME property was sold to developer Thomas Gillespie… An initial reprieve from further decline.
Within weeks, Fellowship Hall, a small building behind the church, was set on fire and the rear wall of the church was severely damaged. Pennie Scott, formerly of the Concord Township Historical Commission and Concord Township Historical Society, made an extraordinary set of images while the fire was still smoldering… The church must not be forgotten.
Thomas Gillespie repaired the building, though he could easily have declared it a loss. The building sat vacant until 2009 when Gillespie passed away.
2013: Pennie Scott, who had advocated for the church from as early as 1995, sounded an alarm of concern at learning the property was for sale: “We are concerned about the fate of the church… We would certainly like it to be saved.” (The Delaware County Daily Times)
2014: Concord Township purchased the property. Under the leadership of Township Council Co-Vice President John Gillespie (no relationship to the previous owner), the next few years saw multiple ideas for the church including moving it to a new location… Spring Valley AME was certain to survive.
2019: Church descendant Helen Davis, approaching her 100th year, asked friends and relatives to take her for one last visit to Spring Valley AME… The power of descendants was now in place.
Pam Rizzo, Board Member of the Concord Township Historical Society, discovered eight death certificates showing unmarked graves on church property. They were given to Betty Byrd Smith who presented the certificates to Concord Township. The graves were confirmed with ground penetrating radar… Spring Valley AME Church wasn’t going anywhere- it would be renovated where it stands.
Pennie Scott with the township architect and Betty Byrd Smith for the descendants, agreed to Heritage Red for the front doors, keeping with an AME tradition.
2021: Church descendants, under the leadership of Betty Byrd Smith, began a year-long plan for a celebration at the church on June 18, 2022 to coincide with Juneteenth and the birthday of church leader Andrew Davis (1899-1984).
Juneteenth 2021: I published the photo essay “Remembering The Black Community of Chadds Ford and Concordville, Pennsylvania- Lest We Forget” which opened a connection to the Brandywine River Museum of Art, the Chadds Ford home of Wyeth art.
Artist Jamie Wyeth read the photo essay uncovering his childhood memory of attending Spring Valley AME with his parents Andrew and Betsy Wyeth.
Jamie Wyeth offered to contribute to the renovation in honor of his father. At the suggestion of Concord Township Manager Amanda Serock, this world famous artist agreed to paint an image of Christ to replace the painting lost in the 1997 fire. He also made a reproduction of the church’s original outdoor welcome sign that he actually acquired 30 years ago… Interest in Spring Valley AME runs deep.
June 18, 2022 : An extraordinary celebration was held at the church followed by a reception and historical presentation by descendants at the Brandywine Museum. A private tour was held in the Andrew Wyeth gallery.
Jamie Wyeth played an inspiring role at the celebration, figuratively and literally taking the descendants into his arms. His painting “Crown of Thorns” was revealed to applause and approval by descendants who will remember this day for the rest of their lives. When future visitors enter the restored Spring Valley AME Church, this painting will take hold of their eyes and their hearts.
The celebration was recorded by filmmaker Glenn Holsten for a documentary on the life and work of Jamie Wyeth. The church will be seen by a large audience, hopefully creating broad interest.

This string of events is truly remarkable. These Many Hands AND Many Hearts have brought back this tiny big church from the brink to become a treasure in Concord Township. It will be revered and enjoyed for generations to come. If only such cooperation, commitment and caring between people were commonplace in today’s world! As you skim through images in the following gallery, please think about the power of relationships.

Many Hands AND Many Hearts: A Gallery

1995: Spring Valley AME and Fellowship Hall two years before the fire. The joy of the congregation was gone from view but never forgotten... Photo courtesy Pennie Scott.

1996: Original Christ image painted on the plaster wall. The artist’s identity is being sought... Photos courtesy Jeff Nye.

Closeup: The beloved image would be lost if not reimagined by the Hands AND Heart of Jamie Wyeth, twenty-five years later.

2012: Spring Valley AME in a sad and unloved state, but that wouldn’t last. The Hands of former resident Joyce Wilson would pen a poem that her Heart would recite at the celebration ten years later… Photos courtesy Joyce Wilson.

December 2, 1997: The fire… Photos courtesy Pennie Scott.

Damage to the church structure was significant.

Given the damage to the back wall, it’s amazing the Christ painting survived the fire. Yet it would not survive the repair that saved the building.

Interior renovation would not be complete without an image of Christ.

2019: Descendants gathered for Helen Davis (holding flowers)- her Heart moved so many Hands.

June 18, 2022: The big day finally arrived. Betty Byrd Smith's Hands AND Heart were the pillar of the celebration... Photo courtesy Kimberly Griffin.

Concord Township installed this beautiful monument “To All Persons Known and Unknown” who were almost forgotten.

Descendant Mary Louise Tillman, granddaughter of church leader Andrew Davis. At seven years old she attended the 1948 installation of a new cornerstone at the church. What pride her grandfather would have if he could see this moment. His Hands AND Heart touch every inch of this place.

The celebration was graced by 90 year old descendant Barbara Bowman... Photo Courtesy DeLaine McCleary.

Pennie Scott and brother Jeff Nye- their Hands AND Hearts, AND Cameras are forever part of Spring Valley AME... Photo courtesy Betty Byrd Smith.

Arrival of Jamie Wyeth.

He brought joy to everyone.

A greeting and embrace for Close Friends.

The next generation sang The Star Spangled Banner and Lift Every Voice & Sing (Taylor McCleary and Lavell Burns).

Betty Byrd Smith opened the program.

Concord Township Council Co-Vice President John Gillespie recalled the journey- his Hands AND Heart forever a part of Spring Valley AME.

Jamie Wyeth spoke about coming to Spring Valley AME with his parents.

He joked about the decision to do the Christ painting: "What was I thinking?"

Joyce Wilson engaged the group in her "call and response" poem: "On Spring Valley Road!"

Betty Byrd Smith drummed an accompaniment.

Jo Lomax acknowledged The Many Hands AND Hearts.

Betty Byrd Smith read the Roll Call for the known graves- more than anyone else, they saved Spring Valley AME.

Jamie Wyeth presented the sign that will welcome visitors for generations to come. It honors the founding minister, Rev. J.E. Davis.

Descendant Kitty Loper Anderson and husband Jimmy, a proud Korea veteran.

The group moved to the Brandywine River Museum of Art. Museum Director Tom Padon offered a warm welcome.

Pandora Anderson Campbell, great-granddaughter of Andrew Davis, led the historical presentation.

Then the big moment when Jamie Wyeth introduced the painting- his purpose was to capture the humanity of Christ.

The screen was removed.

Applause of acceptance filled the room for this epic gift to Spring Valley AME!

The celebration ended with "Open Mic" for people to share their memories, including descendants Jerline Anderson, with granddaughter Kyle Carter, and Kitty Loper Anderson.

Then the most important part of the day- the next generation took the stage. It's their Hands AND Hearts that will determine the future- their journey has begun... Zachary O Griffin and Cru Scott.

Final Thought

Above the original painting were the biblical words: “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”… In the last few years my heart HAS become very troubled by our country’s war with itself. But here in this tiny little corner of the country, a different path was taken. Just like this extraordinary group of people, anyone can make that choice. That's the hidden gem in The-Story-Within-The Story.

One More Thing

In the fall of 2022, these beautiful red doors will open to the public after more than forty years... It was meant to be!

Published July 16, 2022