NASHUA – Once again, the First Baptist Church of Nashua at 121 Manchester St., will host the state’s oldest annual tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The first Martin Luther King celebration was held at the church in 1982 at the request of the Council for Civil Rights of New Hampshire. At that time, the First Baptist Church was the only church in the state willing to host this event. Thus began the history of the church’s annual MLK celebrations, which have featured many celebrated keynote speakers, including the Rev. Jessie Jackson, Rev. Dr. Regina Shearer of the Platters fame and Elizabeth Walker, a former WBZ-TV anchor, local gospel choirs, soloists and the New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus.

Rev. William Seals, interim pastor of Trinity Church in Northboro, Mass., will be the keynote

speaker at this year’s annual interfaith event. The celebration, 60 Years: His Dream

Continues, will take place at 6 p.m. on Jan. 13.

Rev. Seals has served in ordained ministry for more than 25 years as denominational staff,

administrator at a theological seminary, called pastor, and, currently, as intentional interim

pastor. He enjoys helping people grow spiritually and helping churches gain clarity about their

call to the people and communities they serve. In his personal time, he enjoys cooking, baking,

antiquing, walking, dining out, and taking road trips to fun places.

The Jan. 13 tribute will be hosted by Rev. Michael Harvey, interim pastor of the First Baptist Church and will include a special recitation by Martin Timothy, pastor of the New Patriot Church in Fitchburg, Mass., a reading by Alan Green of Temple Beth Abraham of Nashua and greetings from Mayor James Donchess as well as ecumenical greeters Sisters Cecelia Fernandez and Lucille MacDonald.

The event will feature lively performances by the First Baptist Church Choir, the Nashua

Interfaith Chorus, Olga Tines-Peters and the New Fellowship Baptist Gospel Choir, the New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus and soloist Julia Leonard. Refreshments will be served following the celebration. Childcare will be available. The building is handicap accessible and includes free on-site parking. Shuttle service and additional parking at Pennichuck Junior High School will be available starting at 4:30 p.m.

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