Hanover Church has celebrated Black History Month for over 35 years. Music, sermons, and speakers throughout January and February highlight African American culture and history during Sunday morning services. In addition, we celebrate African American traditions through our annual Gospel Vespers service and our annual Soul Food Luncheon.
See our gallery of past Black History Month events at Hanover.
Gospel Vespers
Our annual Gospel Vespers service takes place each year in January or February. The Hanover choir, guest choirs, and various artists present a selection of traditional spirituals, African songs, and modern and traditional gospel music.
The Gospel Vespers for this year, held on January 28, 2024, featured the HildaMan Chorale, Melodic Movements dance ensemble, soloist Gus Mercante, pianist Michael Hunter, and others.
Artists to perform at the Gospel Vespers in recent years include The Twin Poets, The Melodic Movements, Gus Mercante, Martin Hargrove, Tina Betz, Michael Hunter, Brian Gray, Bebe Coker, Micah Graves, Ryah Minyon, Shannon Booth-Johnson, Taralynn Dillard, The Mount Pleasant High School Gospel Choir, The Delaware State University Choir, and The HildaMan Chorale.
For more photos from past Gospel Vespers services, visit our gallery.
Soul Food Luncheon
The annual Soul Food Luncheon takes place on a Sunday in February immediately following the Worship Service. Everyone brings a favorite dish to share and joins in a feast of “good for the soul” soul food! We typically have lots of fried chicken, ham, macaroni and cheese, greens, and much more, with delicious homemade desserts. In 2024 we charged just $10 per person ($5 for children under 12), and all the proceeds went to our student scholarship fund.
2024 Black History Celebrations
Sunday, January 28
11AM – Black History Service Celebration
3PM – Gospel Vespers Service
Sunday, February 4
11AM – Black History Service Celebration & Communion
12:15PM – Congregational Conversations
Sunday, February 11
11AM – Black History Service Celebration
Guest Speaker: Jamar Rahming, Director of the Wilmington Library
Musical Guests: The Ramblers
12:15PM – Soul Food Luncheon
Sunday, February 25
11AM – Black History Service Celebration
Guest Speaker: Rev. Cindy Kohlmann, Connectional Presbyter/State Clerk of New Castle Presbytery