St. Frederick’s of Marble Falls celebrates Black History Month with food, fun and music

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

MARBLE FALLS — Sometimes, you just have to try a new experience to really understand life.

That’s what Bessie Jackson of St. Frederick Baptist Church in Marble Falls is hoping, and praying, folks are willing to do Feb. 22 from noon to 6 p.m.

“We’re celebrating Black History Month with a lot food, fun and music,” Jackson said.

The church, 301 Ave. N, was founded in 1893. It was started in the home of Dicie Yett Johnson. The church first held worship in the Blazing Star Lodge building, which was then located at the corner of Main and Sixth streets. The church moved a few times but has been in its current location for more than 30 years.

It remains the only African-American-led church in Marble Falls. But, Jackson pointed out, it’s not just a African-American church; it welcomes and reaches all.

In fact, one of the church’s program is its Mission Outreach for which members and community volunteers prepare more than 1,000 hot meals monthly to give to local homebound residents and others in need.

“And, it’s just the community coming together to help,” Jackson said.

The Feb. 22 celebration is just like that: the community coming together.

Volunteers and church members will cook up food and meals. The musical guest for the event is Ibrahim Aminou, an Austin musician.

Aminou is originally from Niger in West Africa. He plays percussion, guitar and several traditional African instruments, including the kora (African harp) and gyil (African xylophone). He heads up the Austin-area band Zoumountchi.

Along with performing, Aminou teaches West African drum and dance classes at the Carver Museum in Austin and for the UT Informal Classes program.

“Come and have an ethnic experience is what I say,” Jackson said with a smile and a laugh.

Call the church at (830) 693-4499 for more information.

daniel@thepicayune.com

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Black History Month celebration

WHEN: noon-6 p.m. Feb. 22

WHERE: St. Frederick Baptist Church, 301 Ave. N in Marble Falls

FOR MORE: Call (830) 693-4499