Gov. Andrew & the Massachusetts 54th Regiment:
January 20, 2008

MELVIN MILLER
Publisher of the Bay State Banner

On Sunday, January 20, New North Church will welcome Melvin Miller, who for more than 40 years has published the Bay State Banner, a weekly newspaper that covers issues of importance to Boston’s black community.

Mr. Miller, one of Massachusetts’ most respected black journalists, will speak during the 10:30 a.m. service and again following the service at a luncheon in the Ruth Curry parlor at the rear of the meeting house.

His topic will be the first black unit to serve the Union during the Civil War, the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, and the role played in its creation by Gov. John Albion Andrew, who was a Hingham resident and a member of New North Church.

The 54th was featured in the motion picture, “Glory,” scenes from which will be shown during Mr. Miller’s talk.