A Tree Grows in Lincoln: A History of Christ Temple Mission Church

By Arthur L. Lindsay

Reverend Trago McWilliams was a contemporary of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who preached a powerful message of nonviolence mingled with the love of God for one another. In McWilliamss work in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska, during some of the most turbulent years for race relations in our country, he had a similarly positive impact. He took to the pulpit and worked to develop a congregation that would reflect divine intentions of what the community should look like.

Trago and Margaret McWilliams began their interracial congregation in 1940 in Lincoln, Nebraska. A Tree Grows in Lincoln: A History of Christ Temple Mission Church explores their vision and celebrates the people who have continued their commitment to overcoming the racial barrier that divides Gods people on Sunday mornings. It recalls Trago McWilliamss personal history and considers the lives that were affected by his ministry.

McWilliams preached about the love of Goda love that is alive and well in the hearts of leaders today. Revealing his extensive influence and contributions, this history demonstrates how one person can make a difference in the life of a community.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491742914

Arthur L. Lindsay

ARTHUR L. LINDSAY is active as a public speaker, having spoken in ten countries on four continents. He is the father of four: Tedrin, Timothy, Linda, and Colin. Art has been a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska since 1988. Though he has many interests. his primary focus is on his own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, he steadily studies and memorizes the Word of God. Second to that, he loves to share his faith with men in one-on-one discipleship training. Additionally he has been involved in prison ministry for more than fifty years. He is the author of eleven previous books. Four of them are biographies: <• I CAN: COACH RON BROWN’S SEARCH FOR SUCCESS • NOT EVEN A THREAD: WHEN A RAPIST REPENTS … GOD • ONE FINAL PASS: THE BROOK BERRINGER STORY • I CAN 2 There have been four previous histories written by request: • IT TAKES A HOME: COMMEMORATING 90 YEARS OF SERVICE OF PEOPLE’S CITY MISSION • MOST UNUSUAL PACKAGES: THE STORY OF BETHPHAGE • INFLUENCE: A HISTORY OF THE NEBRASKA FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES • A TREE GROWS IN LINCOLN: A HISTORY OF CHRIST TEMPLE CHURCH Art has also written a novel, THREE WINGS AGAINST THE MONKEY and two books on ethics for the insurance industry: DON’T PUNT and COVER ALL THE BASES.

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A TREE GROWS IN LINCOLN

A HISTORY OF CHRIST TEM PLE MISSION CHURCH

Copyright © 2014 Christ Temple Mission Church.

Author Credits: Christ Temple Mission Church

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-4293-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-4292-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-4291-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014915622

iUniverse rev. date: 12/10/2014

Contents

Acknowledgments

Special Thank You

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One —The Spiritual Roots Of Christ Temple Mission

Chapter Two —A Preacher Of The Word

Trago Mcwilliams’ Sermon Outlines

Chapter Three —The Little Minister

Chapter Four —A Ministry Of Practical Service

Chapter Five —Giving Up A Fortune To Gain It All

Chapter Six —A Son Of Thunder

Chapter Seven —Full Circle

Chapter Eight —Fruit Is Found On The Branches

Chapter Nine —God Inhabits The Praises Of His People

Chapter Ten —Taking The Time To Build Young People

Chapter Eleven —Perspectives From Another Tree

Chapter Twelve —Reflections On The Practical Theology Of Trago Mcwilliams

Epilogue

Appendix

The Lakota People

Crispus Attucks

The Gullah People

In loving memory of

Trago O. and Margaret McWilliams

Image1RevTragoMargaretMcWilliams.jpg

Rev Trago & Margaret McWilliams

Dedicated to Eddie Key—the Gentle Giant

Image2EddieKey12.jpg

Eddie Key

April 4, 1995-February 8, 2014

"Train up a child in the way he is to go,

and when he is old he will not depart from it."

(Proverbs 22:6)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book is made possible because of the help of many people:

Albert Maxey Sr.—for painting the cover of this book, and for helping raise funds so this commemorative story could come to fruition.

Karen McWilliams—for supplying invaluable information on the McWilliams family heritage.

G. J. Mills —for editing and writing portions of the book

Angela Pillow—for providing photography services

Many past and present Christ Temple members—for sharing their stories

SPECIAL THANK YOU

In 2006, the congregation of Christ Temple Mission was able to move back into their refurbished church building at 500 North 25th Street. Although slated for demolition, this historic building stands today because of the contribution of many.

Stephen May, President & Robert Killeen, Vice President

MCS Church Builders Inc.

Randy K. Meyer, Architect & Louis J. Sobczyk, Project Engineer

Meyer & Associates

Without their initial construction expertise and building plan development of these individuals, the renovation project would not have happened.

_______

Charles Berryman & Tim Wentz, Professors of Construction Management

University of Nebraska

College of Engineering, Durham School of Architectural Engineering & Construction

Under their guidance, 85 students participated in developing remodeling plans

_______

Ross Greathouse, of Greathouse Associates, Ltd. provided the interior design and coordination.

_______

Reverend Dr. Luke Schnacke and the congregation of Christ Lutheran Church assisted Christ Temple Mission Church during the years that the building was being restored. During this time, 18 men from their congregation built an interior wall on the Northside of the structure which prevented a major collapse of the entire building.

_______

Rick Wallace and Jeff Bruenig of the Community Development Resource

for their many efforts to provide essential financial support.

_______

There are many contractors and individuals who provided materials and labor of love without remuneration and made the remodeling project a reality.

PREFACE

By Alan Jacobsen

When I asked my friend, Art Lindsay, to write a book as a tribute to my spiritual mentor, Trago O. McWilliams, I was serving as the project manager at Christ Temple Mission for the remodeling project. Since that time, I served as Sr. Pastor before stepping down from that position in 2013. I still enjoy teaching Sunday School and filling in at the pulpit when needed. My good friend, John Harris, became Senior Pastor in early 2014.

Art agreed to the undertaking on the condition that the narrative would focus on the spiritual church rather than the refurbished historic structure at 500 North 25th Street. A building is certainly not the congregation. In fact, Trago and his wife, Margaret, founded the church some 30 years prior to moving to the current location in1970.

Any Bible student quickly learns from reading the Book of Acts that the early church didn’t focus on building projects, but rather the promulgation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Interestingly enough however, the renovation process of Christ Temple Mission’s red brick edifice serves as a metaphor of the Lord’s faithfulness in the Christian journey. Rather than being demolished, the building was restored. The Lord gives beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

The genesis of this book began over a decade ago when I learned that the Christ Temple Mission church building was slated to be torn down. Stunned and heartbroken over the news, I found myself steering my vehicle toward the familiar stomping grounds of my youth. As I approached the site, it was immediately obvious that the entire north side of the structure was caving in. Six steel beams imbedded in concrete (known as dead weight in the Navy) kept the building erect. As I pulled off to the side of the street, I noticed a For More Information sign. With a lump in my throat, I quickly jotted down the phone number on a piece of scratch paper.

It seemed somewhat ironic as I drove away, that dead weight was upholding the structure that once housed such vibrant life-giving church services. Yet, Scripture teaches that out of death, new life is often brought forth. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:24)

Perhaps the best days for Christ Temple Mission were just around the corner.

My hope was short-lived. When I made the call, Reverend Thomas Sadler told me the church members had voted to tear the church down. My inner turmoil intensified throughout the evening and into the night. As I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, it seemed that I heard noise, like the dial of a radio signal between stations. I began to pray for family and friends, but inevitably my thoughts revisited the events of the day. I asked God to give me peace about the jolting news that the Christ Temple Mission Church building was being demolished. I tried to sleep, but the noise continued.

In the twilight hours, it became apparent my burden wasn’t lifting. As I wrestled with the Lord in prayer, I began to consider the cost. I’ve worked in construction most of my life, and I knew that undertaking a commitment to save the building from the wrecking crew would be daunting. My prayer became an argument. Lord I’m busy with my family and business. The fuzzy noise inside my head continued as my excuses mounted, but God seemed to remain silent.

I finally blurted out, Lord, I’m in the middle of building my own house and it’s not done! Suddenly, the noise stopped and I heard the still small voice; and my house is not done either. God was giving me the opportunity to be the catalyst for refurbishing the 100 year-old building. Immediately, the peace that surpasses all understanding overcame me, and I made a commitment to God that I would pursue the project the next day. My heart was quieted as I faded off to sleep.

The next day, I called Reverend Saddler and enthusiastically shared that I had 20 years construction experience and wanted to look at the building to see if there was something that I could do to help. He referred me to the church president, Joan McWilliams. Joan, whose husband, Art, is the nephew of Trago, graciously explained that no one wanted to see the building demolished, but that restoration didn’t seem feasible. However, unbeknownst to the members at the time they voted to tear the building down, the church bylaws stipulated that the structure could not be demolished without a unanimous vote.

Church members were also unaware that the University of Nebraska College of Engineering and Technology had undertaken a student project involving Christ Temple Mission. Twelve groups comprised of 85 students from three classes, conducted studies on whether or not the building should be remodeled or demolished. Ultimately, there were four recommendations for demolition, but eight plans were submitted to remodel the building.

After visiting the site and studying the building condition, I concurred that it was salvageable, and subsequently shared my enthusiasm with the church board. Each member was excited and I was asked to provide a building plan. My wife and business partner, Lori, and I both knew that the project was beyond our company’s scope of expertise, so we contacted a church builder whom we had worked with on another project.

The estimated cost of the remodeling project was $870,000. Since the church only had $250,000 on hand, the remainder would have to be raised and borrowed. The church board voted to recommend the plan to the congregation during