Reflections on Antioch Homecoming 2025
The Truth in The Spirit (stewards of Antioch) and the Fairfield Foundation hosted the second annual Antioch Homecoming on June 27th and 28th, 2025, to celebrate the history and legacy of the church and the Piney Swamp community, where the pre-Emancipation enslaved took refuge and afterwards purchased parcels from former owners. The church is the only historic public structure left standing in the former community. A primary reason for our Antioch Homecomings is to invite descendants of the former residents to share their oral histories and community stories. Many former residents have left the area, but some have returned recently to understand and celebrate their ancestral roots. Oral histories were collected in 2025 by Darold Cuba, a Gloucester native and Ph.D. candidate in History at St. John’s College, Cambridge, UK.
This Antioch Homecoming also included special services and presentations. On Friday night at 7 PM, a praise dance and prayer preceded a presentation by Lori Black of the Fairfield Foundation on research into the enslaved at nearby Timberneck farm. Then Apostle Markita Brooks facilitated a Healing Circle on the topic, "Having the Tough Conversations," for everyone in attendance in person. It was not recorded. On Saturday beginning at 2 PM, a praise dance and prayer preceded a presentation by Dr. David Brown of the Fairfield Foundation on current activities at Fairfield Archaeology Park and other Fairfield-managed properties, including Rosewell, Timberneck, and Walter Reed Birthplace. Rev. Ward Warren of First Baptist Church presented the history of his church, formed from one of the first African American congregations in Gloucester. He also shared about churches in the region, including Antioch. Apostle Markita Brooks of The Truth in The Spirit and Sara Lewis of the Fairfield Foundation also shared next steps in the partnership between Antioch and Fairfield. Finally, Beth Pruitt, a leader of the Fairfield Foundation Family Circle, an affiliate of Coming to the Table, led attendees through a circle-process discussion (not recorded). We hope to see you at our next Annual Antioch Homecoming! Stay tuned!
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Reflections on Antioch Week 2024
Coming Together during Antioch Week
August 1st through 5th, 2024, we hosted Antioch Week, with our focus on events on August 2nd, 3rd and 4th. In the mornings, a historian collected oral histories from those who attended Antioch years ago. In the afternoons, we worshipped God through praise dance, heard from various speakers (watch the videos below), facilitated Healing Circles and fellowshipped over meals. The "quilt" above is a product of the Healing Circles on August 2nd and 4th on "Identity and Markers" and "Building Community from our Various Sectors." This quilt is a work in progress to which we will continue to add pictures and memorabilia to honor those who have been a part of Antioch. On August 3rd, we facilitated a Healing Circle on "Unity between Descendants of Slaves and Slavers," which gave us a chance to encourage one another and proclaim freedom for all!
Capturing History
Pictured: Members of the congregation at Antioch in 1965, with the Pastor, Rev. Lincoln, and his wife in the top right. During Antioch Week, ten people historically connected to Antioch were interviewed by a historian and their oral histories captured to be archived at the College of William Mary. Also, the Fairfield Foundation shared the work they are doing to discover the history of the Piney Swamp Community going back hundreds of years to include mapping technology, archaeological research, interviews and preservation of artifacts. Apostle Markita Brooks shared the vision and work of The Truth In The Spirit, which led to this ministry becoming the stewards of Antioch. Bessida Cauthorne White shared about African American Genealogy and how we can learn more about those who were part of the Piney Swamp Community.
Continuing Work and Relationships
Pictured (left to right): Apostle Markita Brooks, ministry leader of The Truth In The Spirit and Sara Lewis, Development Officer of the Fairfield Foundation. The Truth In The Spirit (the ministry that stewards Antioch), the Fairfield Foundation and other community organizations will continue to work together toward preserving the history of Antioch and the Piney Swamp Community. More oral histories will be recorded and additional discoveries will be made. More in-person and online gatherings will be planned as well. New developments will be shared on this site as we progress. Also, we are committed to restoring and maintaining the cemetery behind Antioch. Please let us know if you have relatives buried here. We want to help you honor their memories and add details to the records for the Antioch cemetery.
