TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay History Center and members of Tampa’s oldest Black churches are teaming up for an event that dives into the history of Tampa’s Central Avenue Corridor.

“Near The Cross: Tampa’s First Black Churches” is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at the former St. James Episcopal Church, now known as St. James at Encore. 

The event will explore Tampa’s Black churches that begin as far back as the Mt. Sinai African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1863. After slavery was abolished, more than 40 churches opened in the area by the turn of the century. 

One of those was the St. James Episcopal Church, that was just off Central Avenue. Fred Hearns, Curator of Black History for Tampa Bay History Center, says the church really served as the heart of the community known as “The Scrub.”

“All these dreams and aspirations of Black people were kept intact by their faith, which points directly to the Black church,” Hearns said. 

A block away, the Greater Bethel Baptist Church first opened in 1893 and still has a dedicated congregation today. Hearns says it was one of the churches that survived redevelopment, gentrification and the expansion of the interstate. 

“When the interstate came through East Tampa, Ybor City, West Tampa… it wiped out several other buildings, but fortunately this church was spared,” Hearns said while standing outside. “Thank god we have these churches because it’s the only sign that we had a vibrant Black life here for many, many people.” 

St. James Episcopal Church and the Greater Bethel Baptist Church are just two of the many churches that will be explored during Thursday night’s event. 

While organizers say in-person attendance is at capacity, it will be available to view on Zoom.