Efforts to mark historic sites in the primarily African American neighborhood of New Town culminated Saturday with a ceremony at Miles Memorial CME Church.

Following the unveiling of a marker at the church - the oldest CME congregation in Texas - attendees enjoyed hot dogs, hot links and soft drinks, courtesy of New Town Neighborhood Association and Allied Waste Services.

Bringing the opening prayer, the Rev. Maggie Young, pastor of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, noted: "For 136 years, this church has stood on solid ground. May it stand to 136 more."

O. Ivan White Jr., director of administrative services for Wiley College, said "the historic New Town recognition project began five years ago," and he added, "we hope this will be only the beginning."

Julia Williams, president of the city's Historic Landmark Preservation Board, said that group was "very pleased to have undertaken this project for our community.