Church members (l-r) Clara Allen, Kamora Allen, and Sherreallyum Allen at the S.S. Morris Christmas Bazaar

Once again, the people of S.S. Morris Community A.M.E. Church came together to share their talents, gifts, and crafts at the Bethlehem Marketplace Bazaar held on Dec. 12.

S.S. Morris Community A.M.E. Church's Bethlehem Bazaar
S.S. Morris Community A.M.E. Church’s Bethlehem Bazaar

S.S. Morris Community AME Church, located on Milwaukee St. on Madison’s east side, was founded in 1987. About a decade later, the church started Bethlehem’s Marketplace Bazaar as a unique fundraiser that would annually transform the basement of the church into the town square of Bethlehem around the time of Jesus’s birth.

Wayne Strong takes tickets at the Bethlehem Bazaar.
Wayne Strong takes tickets at the Bethlehem Bazaar.

The Community Marketplace Bazaar was a unique opportunity to be immersed in the same sights, sounds, and smells that Mary and Joseph encountered over 2,000 years ago. It is a chance for people to walk around and talk with the townspeople as they peruse arts, crafts, baked goods, and food. Pies, brownies, cakes, cookies, and more were available in the “House of Bread.”

The Bazaar, first organized by S.S. Morris Church in 1998, was once again a big success.

S.S. Morris Community A.M.E. Church elders
S.S. Morris Community A.M.E. Church elders