Our Mother of Mercy Parish in Alabama marks 100 years with ecumenical tent revival

Our Mother of Mercy Parish in Africatown, Alabama, held an ecumenical tent revival from Sept. 22 to 24 to begin celebrations for its 100th anniversary. The event, themed "Be Made Whole," brought nearly 500 Christians together through a collaboration between the Archdiocese of Mobile and various local churches.

The parish, located in Plateau, was established in 1926 to serve the Catholic community in Africatown, a historic area founded by West African survivors of the Clotilda slave ship. Father Victor Ingalls, who serves as pastor for seven parishes in the Archdiocese of Mobile, noted that these revivals combine Black cultural traditions with Catholic practice and often include participation from different denominations.

The centennial celebrations will conclude on Oct. 18 with a special Mass, music, food, and fellowship.