Enduring Strengths of Historic Church Captured in Legacy Journal

Bridge Street Living Legends biographical journal for this Sunday’s 258th anniversary celebration of historic Bridge Street AME’s Church became a mission-focused ministry for five writer/interviewers. As well as labor of love.
The journal includes the poignant, elegant biographical sketches of 63 elder members (four have passed), age 80 and over, from interviews conducted by Annette I. Williams, Celeste Douglas, Audrey Vaughan and Karen Brown. The Rev. David B. Cousin, Sr., the church’s pastor with his wife “Rev. Val” edited the 63 pages of typed information to 16!
The opening statement of describes the process: the interviews were conducted over several weeks and all interviewed were asked the same questions. “The responses were varied. What remained the same, and consistently so, were the indelible marks left on the interviewees as our Living Legends, with the gentlest of care and love, peeled back their time-rendered curtains and revealed their beautiful personal historic tapestries of a Bridge Street Church in a different space and time.
“It did not matter if our Living Legend joined Bridge Street Church as a baby (cradle roll), a young child, a child of a 309er (an original member of Bridge Street when it was located at 309 Bridge Street, Brooklyn, NY), as a young adult, or an adult, what was constant in the telling was the love and passion for Bridge Street that has not wavered over the years.”
So, through this effort, the age-old spiritual, “This is my story, this is my song,” is enfused with life. It was Our Time Press’ wish to print all biographies — representing more than a combined 5,000 years of faith-immersed living — but space constraints did not permit it. What follows are eight of the 63 “songs” whose “lyrics” will stay with you, possibly haunt you, but mostly inspire you to joyfully pen your own.

Baldwin, Gladys A. was born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 16, 1924. She joined Bridge Street in 1951 under the pastorate of Reverend Emmer Booker. Sis. Gladys learned of Bridge Street through her family. What she enjoys most about Bridge Street is fellowshipping with her family and other church members. She has served in many capacities at Bridge Street: Sunday School Superintendent of the Beginners Department, president of the Relief Society, Acolyte, member of the Missionary Society, administrator of the Afterschool Tutorial Program, vice president of the Progressive Women’s Club, and member of the Soup Kitchen, Nurses’ Unit, and Prayer Band. The elder who exemplified the characteristics of a Living Legend was Bro. Elker Smith because he was kind and never spoke poorly of anyone. Her words of wisdom are: “Never cease from praying, and no matter the situation, it could always be a lot worse.”

Canty, Deloris M. was born on May 6, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York. She joined Bridge Street on Mother’s Day, May 9, 1971. Sis. Canty learned of Bridge Street from her mother-in-law, Sis. Lola Canty, who was a member of Bridge Street. Before joining Bridge Street, Sis. Deloris attended Cornerstone Baptist Church. What she enjoys most about Bridge Street is the worship service, growing in her faith, fellowship with other believers, and making friends. Sis. Canty served as president of the Class Leader Board, member of the Junior and Senior Steward Boards, vice president and secretary of the Gospel Choir, member of the Foley Harmonettes, receptionist, assistant church clerk, volunteer in the Wednesday Feeding Program, hostess at the Annual Conference, and member of the First Lady’s Circle. She considers her support of organizations she was a part of as her greatest legendary contribution. The elder who exemplified the characteristics of a Living Legend was Sis. Juanita Berry because she was instrumental in getting Sis. Canty to volunteer in the administrative office. Sis. Canty lives by Psalm 51, and her favorite song is “One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus.”

Evans, Irene was born on March 20, 1927, in Pensacola, Florida. She learned about Bridge Street in 1984 through Evangelist Edith Taylor, who brought her to church. Sis. Evans joined Bridge Street in 1984 and enjoyed serving in the Missionary Free Food Program, where she labored for twenty-nine years and four months. She found the work rewarding and fulfilling because it helped others and fostered great fellowship with the workers in the program. She served as vice president and president of the Ethelyne Henderson Missionary Society, assistant and Class Leader of Class #13, member of the Trustee Board for sixteen years, the Social Action Commission, Rites of Passage, Habitat for Humanity, where she assisted with five different projects, board member of the 575 Housing Fund Development Corporation, the Gospel Choir, the Alabama Club, and the Arthur L. Funn Lay Organization. Her greatest legendary contribution was to the Ethelyne Henderson Missionary Society. The elders who exemplified the attributes of a Living Legend were Evangelist Edith Taylor, Sis. Eunice Gray and Sis. Victoria Harris. Other elders who exemplify the attributes of a Living Legend are Deaconess Phyllis Johnson, Sis. Helen Jefferson, and Sis. Ruby Pack. Sis. Evans believes that her willingness to help people in whatever way she can is what makes her a Living Legend. Her words of wisdom are: “Treat other people the way that you want to be treated. Stay positive.” Her favorite scripture is Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Graves, Jr., S. Alonzo was born on June 6, 1941, in Fernandina Beach, Florida. He came to know about Bridge Street through his father-in-law, Bro. Andrew W. Bony, who was a long-time member. Bro. Graves joined on Men’s Day in 1985. What he enjoys most about Bridge Street is working with other organizations in the church. He is a Senior Steward, member of the Arthur L. Funn Lay Organization, and former member of the Board of Directors of Bridge Street Development Corporation and the Bridge Street Headstart Program. Bro. Alonzo considers his service to these organizations as his most outstanding legendary contribution. The elder who exemplified the attributes of a Living Legend was Bro. Willie A. Harris, Sr. because of his willingness to work for the betterment of the church and its surrounding community. He lives by Matthew 25:37-40, “Then, the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?’”

Hatcher, Elouise was born on July 17, 1932, in Louisville, Georgia. She learned of Bridge Street through her mother, Lou Ethel Hatcher, who joined in the 1970s. Before that, her mother was a member of Spring Bethel AME Church in Georgia. Sis. Elouise joined Bridge Street in 1987 and enjoys being a member and fellowshipping with others. Although her mom was a member of the missionary society Sis. Hatcher has not joined any organizations at Bridge Street. Her greatest legendary contribution was supporting her mother’s mission work. The elder who exemplified the attributes of a Living Legend was her class leader, Bro. Dwellie Benefield, because he visited his class members and prayed with them. She believes being on this earth and participating for many years makes her a Living Legend. Sis. Elouise’s words of wisdom are: “Be honest and do the best you can from day to day.”

McGaney, Harry was born on May 5, 1935, in New York, New York. He learned about Bridge Street from his mother, Gardenia McGaney, who was instrumental in bringing him to church. From 1941 to 1951, he attended with his family. He returned in 1986. He has enjoyed being a member of the Christian Education Commission, Roscoe C. Henderson Male Chorus, and serving as a Holy Steward, a position to which he was appointed by Rev. Fred Lucas. Serving as a Holy Steward has meant the most to him because it was a big part of his spiritual growth. Bro. McGaney also served on the Junior and Senior Steward Boards, which has also meant a lot to him. He considers the spiritual support he has provided to organizations to be his greatest legendary contribution. He believes that the blessing of longevity, by God’s grace, is what makes him a Living Legend. Bro. Harry lives by the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you.”

Wallace, Paul was born on March 4, 1943, in Opelika, Alabama. He learned about Bridge Street through his brother, Henderson Wallace, who was a member and invited him. Bro. Paul joined in 1996. What he has enjoyed most about his time at Bridge Street is growing in his faith, attending worship services, fellowship with other believers, and making friends. Bro. Paul joined the Alabama Club and the Male Usher Board, where he has served as a member and the president of both organizations. These organizations mean a lot to him because of the fellowship and camaraderie among the members. His legendary contribution to those organizations is his loyalty, dependability, and commitment to their work. The elders who exemplify the attributes of a Living Legend are Bro. Charles Drake, Sis. Nancy Mclntosh-Bedden, and Bro. Henderson Wallace because they are encouraging, supportive, and friendly. Bro. Paul believes that God’s grace in granting him longevity of life makes him a Living Legend because he and his sister in Alabama have lived longer than anyone else in their family. He also believes that his patience, understanding, kindness, love, respect for others, and caring disposition makes him a Living Legend. His words of wisdom are: “Treat everyone with the same respect as you would want for yourself.”

Williams, Lonzie was born on April 21, 1931, in Swainsboro, Georgia. He learned about Bridge Street from his cousins Robert and Iola Passmore and his aunt and uncle Alberta and Lester Williams. He has been a faithful member for over fifty years. What Bro. Lonzie enjoys most about Bridge Street is the worship service, growing his faith, and making friends. He was appointed to the Junior Steward Board and has been an active member of the Edward A. Carter Veterans Ministry. He was also a member of the Georgia Club and the Roscoe C. Henderson Male Chorus. The Junior Steward Board and the Veterans Ministry have meant the most to him because of their significance in his life. His greatest legendary contribution to the church is his generosity. The elders who have exemplified the attributes of a Living Legend were Bro. Robert and Sis. Iola Passmore and Bro. Joel Nesbitt because they were God-fearing, faithful, dedicated, and supportive. Bro. Lonzie believes his discipline and obedience to leadership makes him a Living Legend. His favorite scriptures are Psalms 23 and 91.