A free concert the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. Paul United Church of Christ (101 N. 8th St.) will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian, the civil rights leader who was raised in central Illinois.

Beginning at 2pm, “Portraits of Peace,” A Suite for Tenor Voice and Organ by Dr. Sharon J. Willis will feature multiple works that echo the themes of non-violent civil activism. The original funeral programs from Rev. Vivian’s service will also be available for attendees. Finally, a pre-concert discussion at 1:3 pm led by the Dirksen Congressional Center will delve into how the central Illinois experiences of Vivian and of Pekin-born U.S. Sen. Everett McKinley Dirksen prepared both men for the national impacts they had in the cause of civil rights.

At the age of 6, the Missouri-born Vivian’s family moved to Macomb, where young Cordy Tindell (C.T.) attended city schools and graduated from Western Illinois University. His first professional role came at Peoria’s George Washington Carver Community Center – and his first civil rights action also came in Peoria. In 1947 he organized a successful, peaceful sit-in protest to integrate a downtown restaurant. As he trained for his call to ministry, Vivian orchestrated more non-violent protests, collaborating closely with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who dubbed him “the greatest preacher to ever live.” Vivian orchestrated non-violent demonstrations, sit-ins, and Freedom Rides across the segregated South to enhance civil rights and voting rights. He received the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2013 for his life’s work. Vivian died on July 17, 2020.

“St. Paul United Church of Christ has a history of choosing to celebrate all the ways God is on the move and continues to speak life into this world,” says Pastor Heather Robertson. “By honoring and remembering the magnificent impact Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian brought into this world, we offer an invitation to come together as people seeking peace for ALL. We hope you will join us in the pursuit of peace and a celebration of all the ways music brings us together.” 

“As someone who grew up in Carver Center, I was always made aware of Carver’s rich history which included Dr. Vivian, among others. Today, as the leadership of Carver Center continues to plan for the future, efforts which serve to honor the legacy of great leaders such as Dr. Vivian are both appreciated and inspiring,” says Aaron Kilgore, board president at the Carver Center, which is collaborating on the performance.

“Central Illinois has a rich history of influence over matters of racial justice in America, and is deeply connected to the civil rights movements of the past,” Dirksen Center Executive Director and St. Paul UCC Council Vice President adds. “Everett Dirksen of Pekin and C.T. Vivian of Macomb were two prominent local leaders of national significance in those efforts, and we honor this torch that they passed on to us. As we celebrate the life and legacy of C.T. Vivian, we continue to consider the unique ways that our communities are connected to each other, and to the ongoing work of our nation to create more perfect freedom for all people.”

Attendees are in for an inspiring, soulful, and affirming series of performances. 

“Portraits of Peace, honoring the life and work of Reverend Dr. CT Vivian is one of the most beautiful, inspirational, and gripping works I have ever heard,” says Sharon Samuels Reed, St. Paul’s choir director and a featured speaker at the event. “I am honored that I had the opportunity to be a guest at the premiere performance in Macomb. The sensitivity of the organist, the pianist, and the passionate voice of the composer — all combined together to present a feeling of peace that passeth all understanding. Dr. Alfonso Cooper Jr.’s delivery of the Negro Spiritual is nothing short of a gift from God.” 

Attendees are invited to join in fellowship at a reception following the concert.