LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mayor Linda Gorton announced the second annual In One A-Chord: Lexington Sacred Music Festival will take place Oct. 3-11 across the city, according to a press release from the Mayor's Office.

The week-long celebration, which originated as part of the city's 250th anniversary commemorations in 2025, features more than 20 sacred music experiences held at churches, chapels, sanctuaries, museums, nature preserves, and concert halls throughout Lexington. "The Sacred Music Festival was originally part of our city's 250th anniversary celebration, and we are excited to continue this wonderful event that showcases our city's rich talent and history," Gorton said in a statement.

This year's programming has expanded beyond traditional sacred music to include poetry, storytelling, theater, art, design, and literature. Dr. Everett McCorvey, executive producer of In One A-Chord, said the broader artistic approach aims to reflect diverse interpretations of the word "sacred." "We aim to highlight our commonality and the beauty in what makes us unique and different," McCorvey said.

The preview event took place at Historic St. Paul AME Church, a festival participant that is celebrating the bicentennial of its 1826 sanctuary and its recent recognition by the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. The church was added to the national designation in 2025, and according to church officials, stands as "the primary nationally recognized church structure in the state" with this honor.

Rev. Dr. Walter R. Henry, pastor of Historic St. Paul AME, said the church's musical heritage connects to its role in sheltering those seeking freedom. "Sacred music is more than entertainment; it gives us a foundation on which we can stand and proclaim even in 2026 we shall overcome," Henry said.

All In One A-Chord performances are free or low cost. For more information, visit sacredmusiclex.org.