Southside Presbyterian Church Celebrates History

30 Minutes spoke with Southside Presbyterian Church pastor Reverend Alison Harrington about their history and role in Tucson. The church will celebrate pastor emeritus John Fife’s 50 years of ministry in the Borderlands on November 18th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Southside Presbyterian Church, 317 W. 23rd St. The event will feature campus tours,  food prepared by Casa Maria, live music by Mariachi Estrellas, the Edmonson Sisters, and Gertie & the T.O. Boys, and a silent auction. Proceeds support their efforts to replace the church’s old fellowship hall.

Southside Presbyterian Church became widely known in the 80s for being a key component of the Sanctuary Movement for Central American refugees. Today, they serve homeless people through Cross Streets Ministry. They host day laborers at their Southside Labor Center. Since 2002, Tucson Samaritans has been a voice of compassion, a healing presence in the Arizona desert. In 2014 Rosa Robles Loreto, a mother of two young boys who had lived in Tucson for years, sought sanctuary for 461 days.

Recorded and produced by Amanda Shauger.