The Dartmouth Historical and Arts Society will host a lecture by Richard W. Gifford, a historian, genealogist, and storyteller from Little Compton, about Native American Churches.

Gifford will discuss three churches that were active in the 1700s: Quanachee on Horseback Rd. in Dartmouth, Acoaxet on Old Harbor Rd. in Westport, and John Dyer Rd., Little Compton. These churches were presided over by ministers Nehemiah Abel, Jehu, William Simon, and John Simon. There will also be a discussion of the family connections of these ministers to a later generation of people of color, including Captain Paul Cuffe, Captain Pardon Cook, Michael Wainer, and Martha Simon.

Gifford will also cover some of the 18th century efforts by white ministers to reach out to the Native American Community.

The lecture will be held at the Russells Mills Schoolhouse, 1205 Russells Mills Rd., on Sunday, January 6, at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served, and a $5 donation is recommended.