From the civil rights movement of the 1960s to today, the church has served as more than just a place of worship to members of the Black community.
"It's just been the gathering place for getting people informed in politics, getting people informed in life opportunities in general," said the Rev. Donna Thompson of John Wesley United Methodist Church. "So, it's been like the hub of the community where people receive help for food and assistance for paying utilities and advice if they need unemployment .. so it's really the hub of the community."
Black churches all over Fayetteville have served as these kinds of gathering places for members of the Black community.