A historic event is set to take place at Phillips Chapel, the oldest extant African American church in New Mexico, to celebrate its legacy and honor the late NMSU history professor Clarence H. Fielder. The event aims to raise funds for further restoration of the chapel and support a scholarship established in Fielder’s name.

The celebration will be attended by friends, community members, and parishioners of Phillips Chapel. The Rio Grande Revelers Dixieland Jazz Band will provide music, and there will be a raffle for a quilt made by the Las Colcheras Guild.

Scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, the event will take place at Phillips Chapel CME located at 638 N. Tornillo St., Las Cruces.

Las Cruces volunteers, including students and faculty from New Mexico State University (NMSU) and Doña Ana Community College (DACC), dedicated seven years to restoring this historic church using mud, mortar, and adobe bricks. Their efforts culminated in 2016 with the completion of the initial restoration work on the one-room church built in 1911.

Phillips Chapel holds historical significance as it serves a small congregation within Las Cruces' African American community and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Clarence H. Fielder played a pivotal role in initiating the restoration project before his passing in 2015. His grandparents founded Phillips Chapel, making his involvement deeply personal. Funds raised during this event will also contribute to a scholarship created in his memory.