First Christian Church to host community outreach event
Are you a vintage car or hotrod enthusiast or enjoy looking at them?
Then you’re invited to a special event – a Block Party & Car Show planned for next weekend at Henryetta’s First Christian Church, located at 5th and Cummings.
Dave Hart, a member of the church, came up with the idea of an outreach event to connect with neighbors and the community.
“The original plan was for a block party,” he said. “We are going to canvass the neighborhood and invite all the people around us…We want the neighbors around us to get to know us.”
Hart is a member of a car group that meets each Friday at the Braum’s in Okmulgee to socialize and display their various vintage automobiles.
He realized the possibility of getting even more attendees to the block party by adding a car show, and enlisted members of the group to bring their vehicles to the event.
“Who doesn’t want to come see nice old hotrods,” Hart said.
It will be held next Saturday, April 22, beginning at 11 a.m. There will be free hamburgers and hotdogs, chips and drinks, “while they last.” Cars will be displayed in the parking lot behind the church.
Hart stated he has approximately 15 that have volunteered to bring their vintage cars to the event, but he is extending the invitation to anyone with a vintage car or truck to feel free to attend and display it.
“This is my first foray into something like this,” Hart said. There is no charge to attend the event – it is just a means of networking with the community.
He added you don’t have to be a member of the church, or even a vintage car group – if you have that special old prized auto, “come on down, bring your car and show it off.”
“We are just reaching out to the community,” Hart said.
As a vintage car enthusiast himself, Hart has four automobiles in his collection. He owns a 1966 Chevy Chevelle, which he was driving this week, along with a ‘65 Mustang, ‘67 Mustang, and a ‘74 Nova.
“We’re kind of across the board,” he said with a laugh. “My wife wants a convertible also … I’m primarily a 60s and that era of cars … If everyone shows, I believe we may have some for the 40s and 50s that are going to come. One has an early 80s Corvette. As long as it’s a hotrod and nice, we don’t care what year it is.”
The love of vintage cars, Hart added, gets in “your blood, and you can’t get rid of it.”
As part of the outreach from the church, breakfast is served every Sunday before the services begin at 8:30 a.m. He, his wife, and volunteers help prepare and serve the meal each week.
Worship service is at 10 a.m. with Pastor Pete Wilson.
The First Christian Church is 101 years old, having been built and formed in 1922.
— Editor’s Note: Be looking for next Friday’s Free-Lance for a feature on another outreach provided by the church – their Food Pantry, and an interview with long-time member Jane Johnson.
