The Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts is senior pastor at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York city. His presence at Union Chapel on Sunday, August 20 at 10 a.m. connects several important dots that tell a historical narrative about life in Oak Bluffs.

The church was founded in 1809 in lower Manhattan in response to racially segregated seating in the First Baptist Church. This caused an exodus of free Ethiopian seamen and African Americans. One hundred years later, Adam Clayton Powell Sr. would become the senior pastor. The church moved to Harlem eventually because of the dramatic growth under the leadership of Reverend Powell. Indeed by 1930, the church had 13,000 members making it the largest African American church in New York city and the largest Baptist church in the United States. The reins of the church were handed over to Adam Powell Jr. in 1937, but much had transpired in the interim.

The Powell family loved the water and all were avid fishermen. This combination caused the elder Mr. Powell to bring young Adam to Shearer Cottage. Dorothy West, living just a stone’s throw from Shearer, recalled activity with the Powell family. “Adam came to my house to play every day and every day Adam’s father came to ask my mother if his son was somewhere around,” she wrote. “I can see that great tall man, who looked so like Adam was to grow up to look [like].”

Shearer also attracted songwriter and singer Harry Burleigh, who wrote well-known spirituals such as Deep River, Swing Low Sweet Chariot and more. Mr. Powell Sr., Burleigh, William H. Lewis, Paul Robeson, Roland Haynes and Ethel Waters all were attracted to the Vineyard. In 1937, Mr. Powell Jr. would purchase his own cottage down the street from his childhood friend Dorothy.

The Harlem hold on the Vineyard would continue through the activities of CB Powell (no relation), Mel Patrick and Joe Overton. All three were Oak Bluffs cottage owners with great affection for the Island spirit. Overton hosted Martin Luther King, Belafonte and so many others at his Summer White House for the civil rights movement on Beach Road. Powell, the owner of the Amsterdam News, held court on Waban Park and Patrick, publisher of The Delegate, had an open door policy for discussions on politics at his cottage on Nashawena Park.

Reverend Butts came to the church in 1972 as a youth minister and rose to become senior pastor of the church, succeeding Sam Proctor. Some decades later as part of a visit to the Island, he was interviewed by Dorothy West as he began to expand his own grip on history. Leading Abyssinian through its 200th anniversary in 2008, he established the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change. He received gubernatorial appointments to technology and development boards and commissions in New York. This included his appointment in 1999 as president of the State University of New York at Old Westbury. Perhaps the most significant symbol of his national stature as a minister and community leader was his presence on the stage at the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Sept. 24 last year in Washington, D.C. Joining President Obama, museum director Lonnie Bunch, Cong. John L. Lewis, American Express CEO Ken Chenault, Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and others, Reverend Butts sounded the call of the Christian spirit as he addressed the crowd of thousands.

His presence reminds us of Dorothy West, the activities of the Powells in the Highlands and the three Harlem confreres C.B. Powell, Joe Overton and Mel Patrick. Welcome back, Reverend Butts.

The New England Blacks in Philanthropy will be hosting a film and panel discussion on August 22 at 2 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. Shadows Fall North explores the untold history of early Blacks in New England. The Cottagers annual clambake will also be held on August 22 at 5 p.m. at the Sailing Camp. This family event encourages children as well as adults to taste the lobster fest provided by Dion’s. Tickets may be purchased from The Cottagers, Cousen Rose and C’est La Vie.

The 11th Annual Bison on the Vineyard sponsored by the Howard University Alumni Association will be celebrated from August 19 to 24 . Events include a golf tournament, a symposium and a broad range of alumni recognitions. Howard honcho Calvin Paris beams with pride at this annual celebration. Howard has excited other alumni groups as both Hampton University and Clark Atlanta University presidents Dr. Bill Harvey and Dr. Ron Johnson, respectively, have joined inaugural college celebrations this year on the Vineyard. More to come in succeeding years!

New Jersey’s April and Calvin Butts, Hampton University grads are the new owners of Pirate’s Reef in the Highlands, snuggled in between the former Twin Cottage and Shearer Cottage. They served as hosts for a very successful event for “pirate” alums and friends.

Newly-installed Morehouse board chairman Willie Woods and his wife Lana Woods recently welcomed Kellyn and Eric Hodges of Philadelphia, new neighbors at Hines Point.

Paradise on earth is the Vineyard experience. Enjoy it as life is fleeting!