A gut punch to the stomachs of an entire Harlem congregation reconciled the pain of hearing that Rev. Calvin Butts III, senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church had transitioned.
The 73-year-old benefactor of the acclaimed pulpit succumbed to pancreatic cancer on the last Friday in October.
“It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of our beloved reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III who peacefully transitioned in the early morning of Oct. 28, 2022,” an announcement from the church membership said.
“The Butts family and entire Abyssinian Baptist Church membership solicit your prayers for us in our bereavement.”
According to Bob Law, a friend and producer of “Street Talk” a weekly radio show aired on WBAI-FM, family and friends prayed for a miracle. They hoped against hope that the shepherd would conquer.
“Calvin told me last week, it’s in God’s hands.”
Law explained that his Baptist beliefs assures him that his friend is now at peace.
Since his passing Butts has been praised, lauded and hailed as an activist, community organizer, educator, Harlem stalwart by an enduring legacy evidenced by the school he founded and homes he provided to the community.
Reflections of the shepherd recall hearing my own name uttered as an astonishment he shared with his congregation.
On a Sunday morning he referenced a story I penned in the most prominent Black newspaper in New York.
The story highlighted his deeds, commended his intentions but more than unbeknownst to me it violated a practice of ignoring any of his accomplishment.
I was new to the publication and clueless about the banned persona non grata status he had been restricted.
Butts seemed to relish the item by mentioning to his congregants that he couldn’t believe his eyes when he read the laudatory mention of his name.
He alleged the un-precedence of the print and said he never imagined he could ever regain favor that would reverse his blacklisting.
Apparently Butts did not take kindly to criticisms either.
When Peter Noel of the Village Voice wrote a story headlined “Butts Rams Engine of Aggression,” the minister expressed vexation and according to the writer “he maliced me.”
The details focused on how the preacher dramatized his dislike for negative rap music by steamrolling CDs recorded by offending artists. Although the act was publicly acknowledged in other news publications Butts felt he could not turn the other cheek to Noel’s scrutiny.
Butts was bold, brave and defiant.
That he helmed Abyssinia, represented the pinnacle of success for all Black ministry.
Named in honor of the original name of Ethiopia, there at 132 West 138th St. between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd and Lenox Ave. is where a diverse assembly of religious believers congregated, socialized and were regularly informed about relevant issues related to the community.
Founded in 1808, its reverence was preceded by Adam Clayton Powell Sr. and his charismatic, bodacious son.
Following the passing of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. in the Bahamas, the young Butts assumed senior pastoral duties.
The church’s masses defended the “Burn Baby Burn” fire in addressing politics and reliably rallied to cast deciding ballots by often asking “What’s in your hand?” as Powell was renowned to query.
Butts also adopted the “Keep The Faith” optimism Powell often espoused.
Butts was thrust into the spotlight at an early age and continued the alluring advocacy his constituency demanded.
In the process he ruffled a lot of feathers, angered more than a few but felt justified to preach sermons he thought worthy of enlightenment.
During a controversial rule in NYC, Butts regularly spoke fondly about Mayor Rudolf Giuliani.
However, on a rare occasion he described the Republican as a racist.
Reportedly, party powers smoothed the ruffled feathers which might have enviegled Noel to pen words Butts considered a diatribe.
“Rudy Kisses Butts” cemented irreconcilable differences neither would negotiate.
Other disputed conflicts involved an endorsement of Republican George Pataki for governor. More damning cited Harlem’s unanimous embrace of the notion of electing Barack Obama, the first Black president of the United States. Reportedly, on a cold Sunday morning marking the anniversary of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rev. Butts stood curbside his church to endorse the rival opponent candidate, Democrat, Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Nevertheless, Rev. Butts retained an image of respectability enabling affordable housing in Harlem; provided improved educational opportunities and established the Abyssinian Development Corporation.
Throughout the church has maintained a reputation for attracting foreigners who flock to photograph, visit and worship.
In the nineties, the publicity division at Epic Records reached out to promote a single by inviting Rev. Butts to officiate an actual wedding ceremony where pop recorder Luther Vandross serenaded the couple.
Not only was he politically engaged but socially too.
In celebrating the life of the Baptist minister, on Sunday Deacon Calvin Butts, IV borrowed a phrase popularized by his father’s predecessor.
In exalting the congregation, he said the father of three and grandfather to six might have applied the mantra – “Keep The Faith” to the occasion.
On Nov. 3 and 4, Abyssinians will heed the call by memorializing the life and legacy of the ancestor.
Catch You On The Inside!
