Yorktown Features Author Alphonso Saville IV

News Summary

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation will host a discussion with author Alphonso Saville IV on August 2. He will explore his book on John Marrant, North America’s first black ordained minister, followed by a book signing. Attendance is included with museum admission, but advance registration is required.

Yorktown Hosts Discussion with Author Alphonso Saville IV

Yorktown, VA – The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s Talking History Series will feature author Alphonso Saville IV on Saturday, August 2, at 2 p.m. The event will take place at the American Revolution Museum in Yorktown.

During the discussion, Saville will delve into his book titled The Gospel of John Marrant: Conjuring Christianity in the Black Atlantic. This work presents the first comprehensive study of John Marrant, recognized as North America’s first black ordained minister. The conversation will be moderated by Travis Harris, a visiting assistant professor at Norfolk State University. Following the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a book signing event.

Attendance for the event is included with museum admission. However, advance registration is required, which can be completed at the museum’s website jyfmuseums.org/lectures.

Author’s Background and Research Focus

Alphonso Saville IV is a scholar with a focus on American religion and its relationship with the legacies of slavery. His academic interests primarily lie in African American Christianity, as well as the religions and literature of the African diaspora. Currently, Saville is an assistant professor of American Religious History and Mission at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina.

His previous academic appointments include a postdoctoral fellowship at Georgetown University and a dissertation fellowship at Dartmouth College. Through his research, Saville examines how differing religious cultures shaped African American Christianity, particularly during colonial times.

Insights from The Gospel of John Marrant

The Gospel of John Marrant offers an in-depth analysis of the influences that Protestantism and West African indigenous practices had on Marrant’s ministry. Saville argues that Marrant’s life serves as a reflection of the diverse religious environments that influenced African American spirituality during a transformative period in history.

Event Details and Museum Information

The American Revolution Museum, located at 200 Water Street, Yorktown, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission prices are $20 for adults, $10 for youth aged 6-12, and free for children aged 5 and under. Furthermore, residents of York County, James City County, and the City of Williamsburg can gain complimentary admission by providing proof of residency.

More information about the museum, its exhibits, and upcoming events can be found on the museum’s website at jyfmuseums.org.

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Additional Resources

• WYDaily: JYF Talking History Series Welcomes Alphonso F. Saville IV
• Wikipedia: Alphonso Saville IV
• Williamsburg Families: Talking History
• Google Search: American Revolution Museum Yorktown
• WYDaily: Friday Night Lights at Tabb High School
• Google Scholar: John Marrant
• WYDaily: Weeklong Series for Juneteenth
• Encyclopedia Britannica: African American Christianity
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