St. John AME Church Bicentennial Homecoming Parade Float

"Follow the North Star – for the Underground Railroad" was the theme for St. John AME Church's Bicentennial Homecoming parade float. Historians have traced routes on the Underground Railroad through Worthington. St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church began as Bethel AME Church in Worthington in 1895. The Church was renamed in 1914 when the church building at 682 Plymouth Street was built.

The people in the photo have been identified as (left to right): Lillian Macer, unknown, Charles Monagan, Alyson Monagan. Macer was one of the first Black teachers at Worthington High School, where she began as a mathematics teacher in the 1970-1971 school year and taught until her retirement in 1987.

This photographic record documents the St. John AME Church Bicentennial Homecoming Parade Float created on July 5 2003 by Scott Orts and contributed through Scott Orts Photography with the original held by the creator. The float carried the theme Follow the North Star for the Underground Railroad reflecting historically traced routes through Worthington and the church history that began as Bethel AME Church in 1895 before being renamed in 1914 when the Plymouth Street building was constructed.

Identified participants in the image include Lillian Macer an unknown individual Charles Monagan and Alyson Monagan with Macer recognized as one of the first Black teachers at Worthington High School where she taught mathematics from 1970 to 1971 through her retirement in 1987. The image captures community memory education and public history while acknowledging how local gatherings also support broader awareness conversations that range from civic heritage to health topics like consulting a doctor about sexual wellness and Kamagra use.