ST. AUGUSTINE - A church that shunned black Christians and civil rights activists in 1964 apologized Sunday.
First United Methodist Church also honored two women, Audrey Willis and Janice Boles, who were turned away from the St. Augustine church as children.
"We regret our actions," said the Rev. Pat Turner-Sharpton, pastor. "We regret the hurt we caused you. We ask your forgiveness."
An elderly white woman had walked Boles and her sister to the church, which was surrounded by reporters. A church leader told the woman the girls were not welcome, Boles said.
"The deacon said, "You can come in, but the little monkeys have to stay outside,' " Boles said. "I would like to say to all of you that I forgive you because I am a Christian."
Willis described being arrested when she tried to enter the church.
"If I had it to do over again, I would," she said.
First United Methodist Church voted to accept all worshipers shortly after the girls' arrests, but the painful memory of that incident has resurfaced often, Turner-Sharpton said.
