Longview Celebrates MLK Day with Dedication of The Grove Sculpture

The city of Longview, Texas, launched its five-day celebration honoring Martin Luther King Jr. with a dedication ceremony for a significant art installation on January 11, 2024. The new lighted tree sculpture, located at Magrill Plaza, symbolizes The Grove, an important historical site where freedmen gathered during the 1860s. This site is closely linked to the formation of Longview’s earliest Black churches.

In 1871, John R. Magrill sold a one-acre tract of land to the town’s Black residents, represented by community leaders O.J. Taylor, Silas Billup, and Alick Berry. This location served as a communal gathering space for generations before evolving into a city park. District 2 Councilwoman Shannon Moore emphasized the significance of the site during her opening remarks, stating, “We are here because free people came together to worship, to pray and to affirm their humanity in a time marked by uncertainty and hardship.”

Funding for the installation was secured through a grant from Union Pacific, with the project taking about a year to complete. John Albertson, Longview’s director of Parks and Recreation, expressed his commitment to highlighting the park’s history. “One of the first things I did moving to Longview was finding out the history of this park and figuring out a way to bring that history to life,” Albertson noted.

Community leaders and attendees, including Marlena Cooper, a key planner for MLK Jr. Day events, and Rev. Larry Washington, president of the Longview Area Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, participated in the ceremony. Cooper remarked, “It’s not only a plus for Longview but a plus for Gregg County and our community as a whole.” Washington added that the site served as a refuge for those seeking community and support, stating, “When there was nowhere else to go, they could come to a place where they felt love and felt welcomed.”

The main speaker for the event, former Councilwoman Kasha Williams, highlighted the foundational role that the gatherings at The Grove played in establishing economic and political structures within Longview’s Black community. Williams, whose congregation, St. Mark CME, has historical ties to The Grove, stated, “This is something that our young people can take away as we examine ourselves daily to see if we are still working to fulfill the dream.”

Williams concluded her remarks by urging the community to honor its past to build a better future. “We have to walk in Dr. King’s legacy of love, hope, freedom, and justice,” she said, stressing the importance of maintaining faith as a guiding principle.

Upcoming Events in Longview’s MLK Celebration

The MLK Celebration continues with several events throughout the weekend. The annual MLK Celebration Parade is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 13, 2024. The parade will start at Pittman Street and proceed north along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the Broughton Recreation Center, located at 801 S. Martin Luther King. Longview ISD Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard will serve as the grand marshal.

Following the parade, a community festival will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the recreation center. Attendees can enjoy food, vendor booths, and activities for children. While admission to the festival is free, purchases will be required for food and other expenses.

Later that evening, the Humanitarian Award Celebration will honor Angela Fitzpatrick for her service and dedication at 18:30 at the East Cotton Street Church of Christ, located at 2015 E. Cotton St.

A musical celebration is scheduled for January 14, 2024, from 18:00 to 20:00 at Parkview Baptist Church, located at 2014 S. Green St.

The MLK celebrations will conclude on January 15, 2024, with a community march. Participants will gather at 11:30 a.m. at the Broughton Recreation Center before marching to Mt. Olive Baptist Church. An interfaith religious service will follow the march, with shuttle services available for attendees.

Through these events, Longview honors the legacy of Dr. King and the historical significance of The Grove, fostering unity and reflection within the community.