In this episode of Freedom Journeys: Sacred Places, host Solomon Jones traces the remarkable story of Charles Albert Tindley, from his escape from slavery as a child to his rise as pastor of what became Tindley Temple United Methodist Church, and one of the most influential Black hymn writers in American history. Through interviews with historian Jillian Pirtle, Reverend Carolyn Cavaness, Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, and Brian Armstead, the episode weaves Tindley's journey together with the parallel story of Richard Allen and Mother Bethel AME Church, exploring how faith, music, and resilience shaped Black institutions in Philadelphia. Discover how Tindley's hymns — including "I'll Overcome Someday" — inspired Mahalia Jackson and ultimately gave rise to "We Shall Overcome," the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, and how his legacy of standing up against injustice still echoes at Philadelphia's sacred places today. The episode also touches on ongoing preservation efforts, including the Charles A. Tindley Legacy Preservation Center taking shape at Tindley Temple and a new wellness clinic at New River Presbyterian.

WURD Radio presents Freedom Journeys: Sacred Places, a four-part storytelling series produced and presented by Solomon Jones. In this second episode, Solomon explores the Byberry Township African American Burial Ground — a site founded as a burial place for free and enslaved Black Philadelphians that remained largely unmarked and unknown for generations.

Connected to the legacy of abolitionist Robert Purvis and the broader struggle for freedom and equality in the region, the burial ground stands as a powerful reminder of lives too often overlooked. Today, preservation partners are working to research, interpret, and protect the site — ensuring that both the people laid to rest there and the history they represent are remembered for generations to come.

Freedom Journeys: Sacred Places is made possible in part through the generous support of our Community Impact Sponsor, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.

👍 Like, Share, Comment 💬 to join the conversation, and stay tuned for more stories from the sacred places of Black Philadelphia!

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👉 Explore the full Freedom Journeys project at wurdradio.com/freedomjourneys

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For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to info@wurdradio.com

#WURDRadio #BlackTalkMedia #FreedomJourneys #SacredPlaces #250Phenomenal #ByberryBurialGround #RobertPurvis #BlackHistory #Philadelphia #Preservation #PreservationAlliance #Abolition

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Learn more about Freedom Journeys

• https://wurdradio.com/freedomjourneyspodcast/

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Community Partners:

• Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia (Community Impact Sponsor)

• Brewerytown Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition

• Poquessing Trail of History / Byberry Friends Meeting

• Society for the Preservation of Philadelphia African American Assets

• The Fund for Sacred Places

Freedom Journeys is made possible through the support of the Office of Senator Vincent Hughes; State Representative Jordan A. Harris; the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development; the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial; Comcast; PECO; the Philadelphia Parking Authority; Independence Blue Cross; and the Office of Philadelphia City Councilmember Cindy Bass.

WURD Radio presents Freedom Journeys: Sacred Places, a four-part storytelling series produced and presented by Solomon Jones. In this first episode, Solomon visits the Henry Ossawa Tanner House in Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood to explore the legacy of one of America's greatest artists. Many people recognize The Banjo Lesson, Tanner’s iconic painting of an elder lovingly teaching a young child to play — but fewer know the remarkable story of the artist who created it, or the extraordinary family and community that shaped his life.

Discover a family rooted in faith, freedom, education, and service — from Tanner’s mother, who escaped slavery as a child, to a household that became a center of Black intellectual life in Philadelphia. The episode also highlights the work of the Friends of the Tanner House, whose efforts to preserve this historic home ensure that Tanner’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Featured in this episode:

• Christopher Rogers — Co-coordinator of the Friends of the Tanner House

• Leah Stevenson — Kenneth R. Woodcock Curator of Historical American Art at PAFA

• Lonnie Coleman — Advisory Board Member of the Friends of the Tanner House

Freedom Journeys: Sacred Places is made possible in part through the generous support of our Community Impact Sponsor, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.

👍 Like, Share, Comment 💬 to join the conversation, and stay tuned for more stories from the sacred places of Black Philadelphia!

👉 Want to support independent Black media? Become a WURD member

👉 Subscribe to the WURD newsletter for stories that matter

👉 Explore the full Freedom Journeys project at wurdradio.com/freedomjourneys

😃 Your support keeps Black talk media alive 😃

Get connected here 👉 https://trk.wurdradio.com/social

🔔 Subscribe Today!

For any questions or inquiries regarding this video, please reach out to info@wurdradio.com

#WURDRadio #BlackTalkMedia #FreedomJourneys #SacredPlaces #250Phenomenal #HenryOssawaTanner #TheBanjoLesson #StrawberryMansion #BlackHistory #Philadelphia #BlackArt #PreservationAlliance

----------------------------------------------------------------

Follow our journey

• Facebook - @forWURD

• Instagram - @onwurd

• LinkedIn - @onwurd

----------------------------------------------------------------

Learn more about Freedom Journeys

• https://wurdradio.com/freedomjourneyspodcast/

----------------------------------------------------------------

Community Partners:

• Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia (Community Impact Sponsor)

• Brewerytown Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition

• Poquessing Trail of History / Byberry Friends Meeting

• Society for the Preservation of Philadelphia African American Assets

• The Fund for Sacred Places

Freedom Journeys is made possible through the support of the Office of Senator Vincent Hughes; State Representative Jordan A. Harris; the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development; the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial; Comcast; PECO; the Philadelphia Parking Authority; Independence Blue Cross; and the Office of Philadelphia City Councilmember Cindy Bass.