02/09/2024
When I was young and trapping with my Grandfather "Pop" DiSalvo, we used to go near this old church quite often while running fox and c**n traps. (early and mid 80's)
Later my best friend Arnold Favinger and I trapped that area we used to go by the church as well, but it was not in use at that point (early to mid 90's).
A few times I remember cars pulling into the then unpaved parking area and people getting out (African Americans), and let me tell you they were ALWAYS dressed to the NINES! All the ladies had their hair done up and their finest dresses and all the gentlemen were in impressive suits and they ALL wore hats as well. Pop and I would just say "G'mornin" to them and they'd tip their hats and say "G'mornin"back.
When I was back in the area over Christmas my Dad and I went by there just to see the old trapping areas, and were amazed at the changes. The church was restored and freshly painted, the parking area was now paved, and they had erected a fence with the gravestone in the article below. We looked inside and were amazed as how small it was and how few pews it had.
I was shocked to find this on CNN
Spring Valley AME church florished for nearly 100 years before a dwindling congregation and a suspected arson closed its doors. Decades later, the church has reopened as a Black history museum.
