Dorothy Mackey is one of the longest living members of Wesley United Methodist Church, a historic Black church in South Phoenix, Arizona.
Mackey was born in South Carolina in a small town named Jedburg. She grew up on a farm where her family ate most of what they grew. She walked to her elementary school and her family attended the only Methodist church in the area every Sunday. The Methodist church was a very important part in her life as the church would hold many events in the summer and everyone would gather around and share meals and host fun activities.
Later, Mackey married a man in the armed forces and got the chance to travel to many different places along with her husband and family. She went to places such as Japan, Germany, and England, where she also attended school. For Mackey, visiting other countries was a welcome change, as she felt accepted abroad.
Mackey and her family moved to the Phoenix area when her husband transferred to the Luke Air Force Base. She immediately felt at home, crediting the tranquility and the weather. Almost immediately, Mackey went in search of a Methodist church and found Wesley United Methodist Church. Over the years, despite changes to the city makeup, Mackey has been a faithful member of the Wesley United congregation.
The Mackey family attended church every Sunday and Mackey became one of the leading ladies of the church. She helped organize food drives and other events to benefit the hungry and unhoused people in the South Phoenix area. She helped to initiate a heat respite center at the church for people who need an escape from the extreme Arizona heat.
The church was hit hard by COVID19, but over the next few years, they rebounded. The church became a free vaccination site and continued providing food and water. Today, the Wesley community center offers food, water, laundry, showers, and a safe haven for those in need of it.
Though Mackey does not live in South Phoenix, her contributions to the area have impacted the community for the better.
| Narrator | Dorothy Mackey |
| Place of Origin | Summerville, South Carolina |
| Place of Residence | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Role/Occupation | Member, Wesley United Methodist Church |
| Interview Conducted | March 7, 2023 |
| Location | South Mountain Community College |
| Interview Conducted By | Student Researchers: Lizbeth Bautista, Aliyah Jerry Lozano |
| Story Written By | Student Researchers: Lizbeth Bautista, Aliyah Jerry Lozano |
South Phoenix Oral History Project 