Oak Lawn Baptist holds 150th May Breakfast

RETURNING CUSTOMER: Pictured is Lilly McConnell, age 6, enjoying her May Breakfast at the Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church 150th May Breakfast. She has been to every breakfast since was born. As a side note, her mother has been to every May Breakfast since she was born.

(Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

Crowd shot at the Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church 150th May Breakfast.

(Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

SERVING TRIO: At the orange juice counter during the Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church 150th May Breakfast were (l-r) Elaine Procopio, Kathie McDonald and Linda Skibski.

(Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

CITATION AND CELEBRATION: Mayor Allan Fung stopped by the Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church 150th May Breakfast on May 1 to present a Citation marking the historical event. Pictured with the Mayor are (l-r) Julie Ellison (Co-Chair), Pastor Barbara DaCosta and Marilyn Drummond (Co-Chair)

(Herald photos by Steve Popiel)

The Cranston Herald · Wednesday, May 3, 2017 6:56 pm

On May 1, the Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church held their 150th May Breakfast. Many of the volunteers were dressed in period costumes.

The Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church held the Original May Breakfast in 1867 to raise funds for a new church building. The tradition has been carried on ever since, though its purpose has moved beyond raising building funds.

The May Breakfast tradition began in 1867 at the Old Quaker Meeting House, the first church in Cranston. Mrs. Ruby King Wilbur, president of the Searle's Corner Benevolent Society, originated the event, borrowing the idea from the English May Day celebration. More than 460 people attended the first May Breakfast, helping to raise $155.

The original festival was an all-day event with games and entertainment, a Maypole and the crowning of the May Queen. Their Church Sanctuary Building is on the National Register of Historic Places for the Oak Lawn Village Historic District.

On the menu were piping hot clam cakes, fluffy scrambled eggs, hand-sliced honey ham, freshly baked cornbread, homemade apple pie, juice and coffee, and handmade May baskets filled with treats.