REMEMBERING THE DREAM — Evangelist Carolyn McCray reads portions of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech during the ceremony held on Jan. 14 at Macedonia Baptist Church.

Alleghany residents gather to honor Martin Luther King

A total of 34 people turned out to celebrate the life and works Dr. Martin Luther King on Jan. 14 at Macedonia Baptist Church in Sparta. The event, termed the third annual Martin Luther King Celebration, was hosted by Progressive Friends. The host are a group of African-American ladies that joined together for purposes of fellowship and community service, said President Leslie Choate.

Choate, one of the event’s organizers, said she was pleased with the turnout. “The event just continues to get better,” she said. “I was extremely pleased with the turnout and I hope the community will continue to be involved.”

The first year the event was held, 2002, it was held at the Alleghany County Courthouse in Sparta. It has been at Macedonia Church ever since. “There’s always that dash between your birth and your death, and judging by how well Dr. King is remembered here and worldwide, I would say he made the most of his time here,” Choate said.

Speakers at the event included Herbert Brown, Evangelist Carolyn McCray, Charity Gambill and the Rev. Grace Wilkins. The church’s pastor, the Rev. Robert Brown Jr., was unable to attend the event due to a family emergency, said Choate.

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