This week on The Local Take I speak with Rev. Dr. Ralph Watkins of Wheat Street Baptist Church about their upcoming celebration of 150 years as a community institution. Watkins provides us with the history of the church, including a look at their most celebrated leader, Reverend Dr. William Borders. He speaks to this visionary starting the first Head Start program in the country. Wheat Street was also the first faith-based organization to receive funding from the federal government for housing. This resulted in the building of the Wheat Street Towers which still provides affordable housing for seniors in our community.
The 150th celebration is taking place on Sunday, July 21st with services featuring Dr. Maurice Hobson and Judge Penny Brown Reynolds.
While other areas of our city are being gentrified, The Wheat Street corridor is thriving after recent renovations. They are continuing to renovate property in this vital community.
Rev. Dr. Ralph Watkins explains that Wheat Street is in the heart of Atlanta and has Atlanta in their hearts.
For more information on Wheat Street Baptist Church
For more informaiton on the history of Wheat Street Baptist Church Towers