NATCHEZ &045; The walls of Macedonia Baptist Church shook Saturday morning as past and present residents of the Minorville community joined their voices to celebrate the place they call home.

&uot;He’s allowed us to come together one more time,&uot; sang the choir and congregation as dozens filled the church on Minor Street to mark the 11th annual Minorville Jubilee.

The event is held the last Saturday of every July to give people with ties to Minorville a chance to visit with each other and enjoy gospel music, fellowship, children’s activities and food hot off the grill.

&uot;I was born and raised here, and I just enjoy getting together with everybody,&uot; said Gladys Minor, who lived in the neighborhood 25 or 30 years and still lives in Adams County.

Everyone has their favorite parts, though. &uot;I stay for the gospel part, but my sister (Annie Edwards) stays for the whole thing,&uot; said Mary Gibson. &uot;In fact, she’s the one that got me started coming to this in the first place.&uot;

&uot;I’m here to support my heritage &045; I was born and raised here,&uot; Cheryl Bradford said. &uot;Besides, my mother is the queen (of the Jubilee).&uot;

Her mother, Evelyn Wright Davis, was crowned Mrs. Minorville for the day. Freeman Reason served as Mr. Minorville, while Michelettle Anderson served as Little Miss Minorville.

But before any of the other activities get started, there is always plenty of singing at the Amos Polk Gospel Hour, held inside the church this year due to the heat.

The gospel music started as soon as residents began marching down Minor Street to the church, and it didn’t stop for more than an hour.

Katie Ruth Moore, who helped organize the event along with longtime Jubilee organizer Burnett Bridgewater and others, gave much credit for the success of the event to those who chose to come out Saturday. The organizers’ intent was to bring unity to the area, &uot;and we’ve finally reached our destination,&uot; Moore told those gathered at the church. &uot;Without you, we couldn’t have a winning combination in our community.&uot;

Minorville residents also have another reason to celebrate this year.

This spring, work should start in earnest on street widening, installation of sidewalks and storm drains, and other infrastructure improvements along Minor Street.

The project &uot;will take every penny (of Federal Urban Aid road money) we’ve got for three years,&uot; said Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith. &uot;We have recognized and know the need for improvements. It’s just getting the amount of money we need to do this project.&uot; Alderman Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West, whose Ward 4 includes much of Minor Street, said Smith has been committed to the project for some time.

&uot;Bear with us,&uot; Smith said. &uot;We’re going to get it done.&uot;