Sunrise Service: YMCA to celebrate Easter at VNMP
Published 10:51 am Thursday, April 17, 2025
- The annual YMCA Sunrise Service will be held Easter Sunday, beginning at 7 a.m., at Fort Hill in the Vicksburg National Military Park. Pictured are, from left, YMCA Executive Director Phillip Doiron, Crawford Street United Methodist Church Music Director Mary Kate Core, Pastor Jimmy Henry and Minister Courtney Reed. (Submitted photo)
For more than seven decades, the YMCA has been hosting a sunrise service on Easter. That tradition will continue this year, making it the 76th anniversary of the event.
The service will be held, beginning at 7 a.m., at the top of Fort Hill in the Vicksburg National Military Park.
“What I love about the service is the variety of people who participate. You get runners who will park at one spot, run to the fort, attend, then run back. Others come dressed in their Sunday finest, and still others come like they are attending a picnic,” YMCA Executive Director Phillip Doiron said. “And all are gladly welcomed to this unique celebration.”
Founded in 1840, Doiron described the YMCA as a Christian organization that was intentionally designed not to be linked to any one church.
“But with underpinnings of an organization rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ,” he said. “And one of our most outward expressions of faith is the Easter Sunrise Service.”
During this years’ service, Doiron said Minister Courtney Reed from Trinity Temple Church and Pastor Jimmy Henry from First Baptist Church will be leading the service. Special music will be provided by Mary Kate Core, music director at Crawford Street United Methodist Church.
“Held continuously for 76 years, this service invites and unites the greater community of Vicksburg to celebrate our risen Lord,” Doiron said.
Parking for the service is available on Confederate Avenue.
For more information, calls may be directed to 601-638-1071.