Capturing Communities in Words and Images:

There are no lush gardens, no high brick walls towering into the heavens, no magnificent stained glass windows depicting the crucifixion. There is just a white building with a brick facade that was bought in 1998. The building is home to Eastchester Church of God located on Eastchester road in the Bronx. It was started in 1990 by the current Pastor Devon Dixon and his wife Heather Dixon and a few other members of the church. It consists of 267 members, with visitors of about 300. Many of the members come from the Caribbean with many coming from the island of Jamaica. There are Americans and African members as well. The members are mostly women, “That is the problem with most black churches, they have more women than men,” commented Pastor Dixon.

Often as you approach the church on a Sunday morning you will hear the chiming bells of the nearby Catholic Cathedral announcing the hour. The church, on Sunday, is filled with members and visitors worshipping. More »

Post by rjohnson | December 16th, 2008 | Category: Final Project Essay and Photos, Final Projects | Comments (8)

This was the first time I carrried my camera to church. I went there feeling nervous about the whole idea of taking pictures. I did not know how they would turn out or if any of them would be visible. I sat in my usual seat in the back. The  think the back is usually for late comers, I wasn’t late. I preferred the last row. I tried to photograph as much as I could I somehow found enough courage to just ignore  people staring at me. For a person who likes to just blend in the woodwork the attention was not good. I tried not to distract the congregation from the service and overall I don’t think I did. I did not talk to much people, only one lady. I asked to take her picture she agreed but wanted me to wait until we were out of the santuary. Church was basically over, a woman was just reading the notices. Then she changed her mind and I photograph her in the church. She sat beside me in the back.

Post by rjohnson | November 15th, 2008 | Category: Work-in-Progress | Comments (2)

On a road (Eastchester road) that has more than three churches, Eastchester Church of God, a place of worship located in the Bronx, still manages to be packed on Sunday morning. People from different communities in the Bronx go there to fellowship with each other in an atmosphere of love. They sing and listen to sermons given by the pastor or another member of the church. I chose this community of Christians because I wanted to explore the way they relate to each other and why its members chose this church to show their devotion to God.

Although I recently started going to this church and could be considered as an insider, the church is still new to me. I don’t know everyone and I am a little apprehensive about invading their lives. The pastor has been very welcoming and has permitted me to capture his community.

I think it would be interesting for people who are not familiar with the church environment to see how Eastchester church of God members worship and praise. I hope to show the church, not just on Sunday when everyone is dressed up, but during the week in bible study, prayer meeting and youth fellowship. I wish to provide as much of an unbiased glimpse as I can into this community.

Post by rjohnson | October 27th, 2008 | Category: Final Project Proposal | Comments (3)