Capturing Communities in Words and Images:

Author: rjohnson

Sunday to Sunday: The Weekly Activities of the Eastchester Church Of God Community

There are no lush gardens, no high brick walls towering into the heavens, no magnificent stained glass windows depicting the crucifixion. There is just a white building with a brick facade that was bought in 1998. The building is home to Eastchester Church of God located on Eastchester road in the Bronx. It was started in 1990 by the current Pastor Devon Dixon and his wife Heather Dixon and a few other members of the church. It consists of 267 members, with visitors of about 300. Many of the members come from the Caribbean with many coming from the island of Jamaica. There are Americans and African members as well. The members are mostly women, “That is the problem with most black churches, they have more women than men,” commented Pastor Dixon.

Often as you approach the church on a Sunday morning you will hear the chiming bells of the nearby Catholic Cathedral announcing the hour. The church, on Sunday, is filled with members and visitors worshipping. Continue reading “Sunday to Sunday: The Weekly Activities of the Eastchester Church Of God Community”

My first Sunday

This was the first time I carrried my camera to church. I went there feeling nervous about the whole idea of taking pictures. I did not know how they would turn out or if any of them would be visible. I sat in my usual seat in the back. The  think the back is usually for late comers, I wasn’t late. I preferred the last row. I tried to photograph as much as I could I somehow found enough courage to just ignore  people staring at me. For a person who likes to just blend in the woodwork the attention was not good. I tried not to distract the congregation from the service and overall I don’t think I did. I did not talk to much people, only one lady. I asked to take her picture she agreed but wanted me to wait until we were out of the santuary. Church was basically over, a woman was just reading the notices. Then she changed her mind and I photograph her in the church. She sat beside me in the back.

Eastchester Church of God

On a road (Eastchester road) that has more than three churches, Eastchester Church of God, a place of worship located in the Bronx, still manages to be packed on Sunday morning. People from different communities in the Bronx go there to fellowship with each other in an atmosphere of love. They sing and listen to sermons given by the pastor or another member of the church. I chose this community of Christians because I wanted to explore the way they relate to each other and why its members chose this church to show their devotion to God.

Although I recently started going to this church and could be considered as an insider, the church is still new to me. I don’t know everyone and I am a little apprehensive about invading their lives. The pastor has been very welcoming and has permitted me to capture his community.

I think it would be interesting for people who are not familiar with the church environment to see how Eastchester church of God members worship and praise. I hope to show the church, not just on Sunday when everyone is dressed up, but during the week in bible study, prayer meeting and youth fellowship. I wish to provide as much of an unbiased glimpse as I can into this community.

Along Malcolm X Blvd.

The day was overcast, sunlight peeked in and out of the clouds. Sort of chilly. I felt like a tourist taking these pictures. It felt strange. People stared at me, with questioning looks. What is she doing? They must have asked themselves. I tried to take each photo without letting the subjects know I was taking their photograph. Some knew though. I asked permission for some shots taken but others I pointed the camera and prayed I caught something interesting.  Some people were welcoming and did not have a problem with being photograph by a stranger. Only one person asked “Are you going to put my picture on the Internet?” My answer was no then yes, when I remembered the website. He laughed then went on his way. I did not include his photo here. Overall it was an awkward, somewhat frighteningly weird experience. Maybe I felt this way because I went alone.