Norfolk 17 to be honored by First Baptist Church on Sunday

By Denise Watson Batts
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 3, 2008

NORFOLK

First Baptist Church Norfolk on Bute Street will observe “Freedom Sunday” during a 10 a.m. worship service Sunday .

The event is to honor the “Norfolk 17,” a group of African American students who were the first to desegregate Norfolk Public Schools almost 50 years ago. In 1958, several Norfolk Public Schools closed under Virginia’s “Massive Resistance” laws to avoid desegregation. The church then set up classes to tutor the students who were among the 10,000 locked out.

Former Virginia Supreme Court Justice John Charles Thomas will be the guest speaker. Several members of the Norfolk 17 are expected to attend. The commemoration is one in a series during July to recognize the church’s 208th anniversary.

The church is at 418 E. Bute St. The event is free.

For more information call, (757) 420-0230.

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