5th Annual ‘Christmas in Yamacraw’ event held this weekend

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Faith, history, and music filled one of the oldest housing complexes in the nation, originally built as a segregated community.

The 5th annual Christmas in Yamacraw kicked off outside historic First Bryan Baptist Church in Yamacraw Square.

Yamacraw has seen many changes over the years, and most recently has been boarded up. When the Savannah Housing Authority made the decision to demolish it after a physical needs assessment.

The lineup of native savannah artists includes jazz vocalists, folk musicians, guitarists, and many vocalists.

Savannah’s own West African percussion ensemble, along with the historic First Bryan Baptist Church mass choir performed.

Attendees explained the importance of bringing people together through music.

“It’s been a long journey, but it’s been exciting, and this is probably the biggest year we’ve had, and this is the most kids we’ve ever had come out, so it’s been really wonderful, but we’re doing all this to preserve the wonderful history of Yamacraw,” said Event Coordinator for Christmas in Yamacraw.

Hosanna helpers’ food truck came out, so many wonderful volunteers, and tons of great singing.

“These wonderful savannah people have come out to support us, and today we’re having a program inside the church, and we have a lot of great singing, some wonderful musicians,” said Maxwell.

People there tell us their preservation efforts for Yamacraw are still very much underway.