HOMECOMING
(A Behind the Scenes View)
As by Deaconess Martha Ellis

It was a time of anticipation, preparation, and excitement for everyone.

The Deacons were busier than ever preparing the church for the "Big Day." They canvassed the local undertaker and the furniture store for fans to keep the congregation cool -not to mention how the fans would help fight off the wasps! However, their major task was outside. They cleaned the area, tidied up the church cemetery and created a serving table made of boards nailed from tree to tree. The enclosed rectangular serving table area was perfect for the repast.

These hardworking, God-fearing men also got hold of large wooden barrels with spouts to hold water and lemonade. This would quench the thirst of those who came from near and far. The barrels were placed on the back of pickup trucks; and early Sunday morning someone would get a fifty pound block of ice to be placed in the barrels. What a special treat on a hot, humid, dusty Sunday! No one complained; after all, this was the "THE BIG DAY." All was well with the world. And by God's grace, it never rained on Homecoming -at least not until everyone had gone their separate ways…..then there might be a thunderstorm to end all thunderstorms!

The Meal

While the men took care of the building and the grounds, the women of the church were at home busily "putting the big pots in the little pots." They tried to do as much as they could on Saturday so that they wouldn't have to get up quite so early on Sunday morning. Some of the food preparation (and this was during the hottest time of the year) included: frying chicken, making potato salad, cooking vegetables from their gardens, making cakes and pies-sweet potato, apple, coconut, lemon chess, etc…. But by Sunday morning all loose ends were tied together, the food was packed and placed in the trunk of the car to be served after the morning service. Then the women would stand on the inside of the outdoor rectangular serving area the deacons had created with their baskets and cardboard boxes serving delicious food after the worship service.

[Take note-there was no refrigeration back then, and by the goodness of the Lord, there was never a word of anyone suffering from food poisoning or any sickness from the food served on that hot, humid, sticky summer day.]

What was worn?

Clothes had been ordered, well in advance from Sears Roebuck, Montgomery Wards, National Belle Hess, or made at home by those blessed to have a sewing machine. Some of the ladies even ventured out to the nearest city to get their outfits -including hats and gloves. The older women wouldn't consider going to church without hats, cotton stockings, and comfortable heels. Whereas, the young ladies wore hats, matching gloves, silk stockings, and high heel shoes. Even the little girls wore cute little straw hats, new dresses, and shiny patent leather "Sunday shoes." The little boys wore their nicest "Sunday shirts and pants."

Hats were worn, yes; but hair still had to be done. "Doing hair" meant putting a metal comb with a wooden handle on the stove and "straightening" hair. Then the hair was curled with stove-heated hot-curlers, or old-fashioned foam rollers. To protect their elaborately coiffed hairdo, a scarf was worn until the appointed time.

What about the men?

After their chores were done, they headed to their favorite barber-the backyard or back porch of someone's house. Then on Sunday morning they slicked their hair down with Royal Crown, put on a stocking cap, and upon arrival at church, they very smoothly slid the stocking cap from under their hat and into their suit pocket. The story was totally different for the young men who could afford it; they headed to the city to get a "James Brown's Doo." Every man had a navy blue suit, even those who only attended church for Homecoming.

[Note to Brother Ben Hawkins, The bib overalls were before my time….]

By Sunday morning, everyone was ready and waiting for the out-of-town guests to arrive; some came for the full week of Revival, others just for Homecoming. How exciting! Relatives, close and distant came from New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and New Jersey with their new talk and their new strut. What a time! What Excitement!

An aside: In addition to those who came for the service, there were always the entrepreneurs. They situated themselves a respectable distance from the church to conduct their business.

Who were these people?

The ice cream lady. She sold the most delicious homemade ice cream for five and ten cents a cone. Then there was the watermelon man. He came with a truckload of watermelons that he sold by the slice or a whole watermelon-to-go.