A group of local church members gathered at Selma City Hall on Friday afternoon, Good Friday, to reenact the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.

Church members from Crosspoint Christian, Gateway Ministries Baptist and Selma Church of God played the parts of Jesus, Roman soldiers and others who were there as part of an event conceived to show the community the reason Easter is celebrated.

The spectacle began at Selma City Hall where the performers reenacted the trail of Jesus.

The man playing Jesus carried a cross down Dallas Avenue to Bloch Park while those playing the parts of the Roman soldiers periodically beat him with fake whips.

Once the group arrived at Bloch Park, where a small crowd was waiting to watch, the reenactment of the crucifixion occurred followed by an invitational prayer from Robert Walker, Pastor at Gateway Ministries Baptist Church.

“We have held this [reenactment] for so many years for one reason,” said Walker. “And that is to show the world the meaning of Easter.”

As of Friday, the group has performed the reenactment for 27 years.

For Kimberly Walker-Crowe, a participant in all but one of the now 27 reenactments, the experience is still an emotional one.

“I cry every time,” she said, “You’ve gotta get the meaning out there. People need to know what Jesus did for them and this is a very visual way to let them know.”