A cross unites Black and white churchgoers in south Lansing

When Joe Prevo Jr. started his Eagle Scout project at 16 years old, he hardly could have imagined that his work would one day bring a community together. It was a simple landscaping project, a flower bed built around a large and stoic, wooden cross. Over the years, it became overgrown and dilapidated.

But years later, a predominantly white church and a predominantly Black church joined hands to restore his project and bring the community together.

In 2016, a predominantly Black congregation bought Christ United Methodist Church, 517 W. Jolly Road, and turned it into the Epicenter of Worship. While making renovations, they discovered Prevo’s project.

“We were just cleaning out weeds, and then we found that cross,” said Jacqueline Humphrey, one of the organizers behind the renovation and a member of the Epicenter of Worship. “We talked to the right person, and they said they would like to be involved and that the gentleman who built the cross would like to build it again.”

Humphrey said that she wanted the cross to be restored because it seemed significant. After her congregation made so many renovations to the old Methodist Church, it only seemed right to restore the cross to its former glory.

“It was a really pretty sight,” she said. “You could see it from the street if you passed down Jolly Road.”

Pastor Sean Holland from Epicenter of Worship said that rebuilding the cross and restoring the garden is a community effort towards solidarity. “Poor, rich. Black or white. We find ways to divide. But here, we are working together to address the issues that divide us.”

Prevo promised to help with the project. Along with him came a group of white folks who had former connections to the old Methodist Church. In a time when race relations are dominating the news, it was an inspiring sight.

“What we have is a church that’s predominantly white coming to help our church that is predominantly Black,” said Humphrey. “We’re excited for the churches to come together.”

Humphrey said that white people in the neighborhood have visited Epicenter of Worship and came to listen to a sermon once in a while.

“If we could deliver any message in these times, it’s that God’s people can come together in a way that’s rich and a way that’s helping to show the relationship we can have with another,” said Humphrey. “We’re happy to have them involved.”

Joe Prevo, the father of Prevo Jr., has been involved with the church since 1970. Prevo attended the church when it was known as Christ United Methodist Church. He was there when the original cross was built. It used to reside in what is now the parking lot of Epicenter. The church used to bring it inside during Easter and use it for their holy week services. But then the bottom started to rot out.

“Then my son needed an Eagle project, so he approached the church about building this memorial garden,” said Prevo. “We pulled the cross out of retirement. But it’s been out there for all those years, and it’s in sad shape now.”

Prevo was excited to see his old project restored. Looking out at all the volunteers weeding the garden and rebuilding the cross, he felt nostalgic and appreciative. “The Epicenter has been very generous about recognizing the past history and contributions of the Christ United Methodist Church,” said Prevo. “They want to preserve some of that history.”

When Epicenter first moved into the old Christ United Methodist Church, Humphrey said that the surrounding community — mainly white people — were grateful that people were willing to take care of a church that meant so much to them. Many of the former congregants from Christ United Methodist Church lived right in the neighborhood and were eager to see what was happening to their former church.

“They came over and welcomed us,” said Humphrey. “Sometimes people take churches and make them into clubs. They were so glad a church was still going to be here.”

Humphries emphasized that Epicenter wants to honor the legacy of Christ United Methodist Church and pay respect to its storied history. Not to transform it or neglect the past. The Epicenter congregation put a new roof on the church and made some renovations. Humphrey said that members of the old church were just glad that someone was taking care of it. “They let us know that they’re so grateful,” said Humphrey. “We didn’t come here to knock down any walls, just to see the beauty in it, to enjoy it. We didn’t want to make it anything other than what it is.”

Humphrey was excited to see the community come together to work on this project. To her, it symbolized harmony within the Lansing church community. Seeing a mainly white congregation come out to support her predominantly Black church gave her hope that people can see beyond skin color.

“We’re here for a common purpose,” said Humphrey. “We want the community to see what’s happening with these churches.”