Freeman Room Proposal

Photo of gravestones of Lydia, Cato, and Jacob Freeman at the Second Burial Ground laid out in 1817 by North ParishDave Kovner, chair of Crossroads Music Series and Deb Olander, chair of the Racial Justice Team are facilitating listening circles about their proposal to the Board of Trustees to rename the Parish Hall to the Cato & Lydia Freeman Hall (or Freeman Hall for short). This is an opportunity for the congregation to hear more about the proposal, to ask questions, and to offer input to the Board. We propose to rename the hall in honor of the Freemans as part of our 8th principle commitment. As documented in Hidden in Plain Sight: The Unexamined History of a New England Town and Parish, Cato and Lydia Freeman were longtime contributors to and attendees of the North Parish church. They were never afforded full church membership because they were Black. In dedicating the Parish Hall to Cato and Lydia, we recognize their dedication to the North Parish community through their labor, music, and grace. Since Cato was a musician, it is especially fitting to name the Crossroads Music Series venue in his name.

Sessions will be held on Sunday, January 7th at 11:15am in the Flex Room, Monday, January 8th at 7pm on Zoom, and Sunday, January 14th at 9:15am in the Blue Room.

Zoom Info:

Meeting ID
849 5297 2073

Passcode
NP2024