Half of the proceeds from the National Philharmonic’s two performances of Messiah are being donated to help restore the historic Scotland African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Potomac that was burglarized and vandalized recently and was gravely damaged by a storm two years ago.
The performances will be held at the Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda on Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. The program features a cast of African American vocal soloists and the National Philharmonic Chorale.
Fifty percent of the proceeds from the performances at the Strathmore will go to the Second Century Project to raise funds for the restoration of the historic church. Tickets are available at the National Philharmonic’s website.
One hour before the start of the concerts, the church’s choir with Director Michael Terry will stage a preconcert in the lobby. This concert is free.
The church, which has been a center of community for Black congregants since 1924, was greatly damaged during a flood in 2019. The church is conducting a multi-phase project to repair, restore and safeguard the building.
The church was built by hand by Black congregants and is registered as a State Historic Site by the Maryland Historical Trust. This is the only historic building to survive in the Scotland community, according to the church’s website.
The original building is a wood-frame structure. Due to several storms, the church foundation was damaged.
Ruppert Landscape and Just Ice Tea, along with other organizations, have joined together to make this fundraiser possible.
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