From Grace to Glory. . .: A Little Bit About a Lot of Things

By Naomi Ruth Jones Kilpatrick

This book chronicles a life long journey of stunning and tragic events. It took some five plus years of a "backward glance" to describe that journey. It begins within the doors of a small, seemingly insignificant church on the south side of Chicago where "ordinary people" did extraordinary things; a little assembly of believers gathered together in the Lord's name. The church had been founded by an icon, a giant in the Christian community named B. M. Nottage, who started, along with his brothers, several assemblies in Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and other cities.

This book, "From Grace to Glory", gives a vivid picture of the marvelous grace of God and his unbounded, unlimited mercy through great tragedy and devastating losses. Read the shocking "unpleasant history" of this little church, and its' resilience through it all.

Laugh out loud in "A Little Bit About A Lot of Things", as you look at Bob Hope's jokes and Mae West's one-liners. Read the jaw-dropping "You in six words" from Oprah Winfrey. Go back to another era of great books, outstanding movies, and awe-inspiring music. Share in the great pride of cultural icons who contributed so much to our country and ultimately to the whole world.

Don't miss the chapter on the "Onslaught of Nines", where you will discover unknown facts, or surprising facts, or maybe "not-new facts", or just affirmation for the people, places, and things. You will wonder what is the "Fine As Wine In the Summertime" chapter all about?
And then, this book gives a vivid picture of the great love and the deep ties of family; a family with an ancestor who could not read or write, but amassed a fortune in land and property. Love of family runs through this family whether you are rich and famous, or poor and needy, or somewhere in between. All families can affirm this, but this book tells it in a different way, in a different format. By reading "From Grace to Glory ... A little Bit About A Lot of Things", we are reminded of what is important in life. We are encouraged by the dear ones who have gone on before us. We can build on that strong love, that strong foundation that has been left, and we can trust our God to take us from His grace to His glory as we continue on life's journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524591144

Naomi Ruth Jones Kilpatrick

Naomi Ruth Kilpatrick is a retired CPS Principal. She has taught the Adult Women's Sunday School Class for over 30 years at Grace & Glory Gospel Chapel in Chicago, IL. She currently serves as the Vice-President and Spiritual leader of the Vineyard Partnership Investment Club. Naomi is the Chapter President of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., which she loves because the organization awards scholarships to deserving students who are pursuing careers. She is an avid reader, enjoying poetry, prose, and biographies. She is an advocate for children and women, having served as President for several years, of the Chicagoland Christian Women's Conference (CCWC). Naomi lives quietly with her husband, Lenzo, and two great grandchildren, LeShawn and Kyonna in South Holland, Illinois, a beautiful little village full of churches and schools.

Book preview

From Grace to Glory…

A Little Bit About A Lot of Things

Naomi Ruth Jones Kilpatrick

Copyright © 2017 by Naomi Ruth Jones Kilpatrick.

Library of Congress Control Number:  2017903858

ISBN:  Hardcover   978-1-5245-9115-1

         Softcover   978-1-5245-9113-7

         eBook     978-1-5245-9114-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 03/31/2017

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Contents

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1 - The History

Chapter 2 - Challenge of the Times

Chapter 3 - The People

Chapter 4 - Events & Happenings

Chapter 5 - My Early Years

Chapter 6 - Daddy

Chapter 7 - Fine As Wine in the Summertime!

Chapter 8 - Marriage, Children, Family

Chapter 9 - Climbing the Ladder of Success

Chapter 10 - My Groups

Chapter 11 - My Favorite Things

Chapter 12 - My Onslaught of Nines

Chapter 13 - Cultural Pride and Celebration

Chapter 14 - An Appropriate Ending

Bibliography

Thanks & Acknowledgements

Dedicated to

Lenzo, Sharon, Kevin

My Future

In Memory of

My Parents

Cora Virginia Shockley Jones

James Thurlo Jones

&

My Three Angels

Lenard, Katrina, Linda

for

showing me the Mosaic of Life

Preface

I have wanted to write a brief history of our church for a number of years; too many years. It seems that I’ve thought about it for so many years instead of just doing it. It took confidence in my skills, which I felt I lacked, namely words. Time was a factor for it seems I always had something else to do, something more important. Materials, records, information, facts were not a real problem because when I got this vision, I began collecting stuff. My dream was a church history, but I knew that would be my history as well, so I gathered and kept everything that seemed pertinent. There was no place for writing; no quiet, lonely place of beauty, no environment of silence. I needed to be able to think, to reflect, and to pray. There was much encouragement from the brethren years ago to write. As a matter of fact, they were enthusiastic and excited about my attempt at searching the roots of the little place that we love, Grace & Glory Gospel Chapel. I sought to honor the assembly, not as though it is above all others, but to show that we are, indeed, one together with them; to show that a little church family of believers can make a difference in this world of ours. Grace & Glory is a testament to, not only our surrounding neighbors, but to my family, my progenies, my descendents.

I now have the confidence to begin this writing journey, knowing that God will give me the words that are needed to write a clear, precise, and hopefully, enjoyable account.

My kick-off date was June 10, 2011.

The next day began with prayer and scripture reading: I Timothy 1:1, 12-17; Proverbs 10; and Psalm 10. I fed my cat, Myles, and began writing. Each day of the process was a struggle, a struggle with having enough time to write with all of the things I have to do to run my household. At home, I am in constant motion, doing first one thing and then another.

A typical day begins at around 5:30 A.M., washing and drying the kids clothes, fixing breakfast, and getting the kids up and ready for school. Like most kids, they hug those covers as long as they can. They shower and eat breakfast and then off to school – 4th grade for him, 2nd grade for her. At 3:06, school ends and I pick them up. They eat a snack, watch a little TV or computer, and then its time to help with their homework. Dinner is prepared and we sit down at the table together, all 4 of us – Lenzo, Le Shawn, Kyonna, and me. The children and I go to bed between 9:30-10:00 PM. Sometimes, I read to them the Do You See What I See? books. They have hidden pictures and hidden messages that you have to find. The kids absolutely love this. The 3 of us are very competitive; we each try to find the pictures first.

On March 27, 2012 at 4:47 P.M., I had my little cat, Myles, put to sleep. The cancer, yes, pets have this dredded disease, had caused him to lose weight, so much so that he was skin & bones. He seemed to be eating more and drinking water continuously, yet still losing weight. I knew something was drastically wrong. When I took him to the Vet, he said he had a tumor in his kidneys and was in a lot of pain. Lenzo and I had him euthanized at the animal hospital. Myles" had lived a long life as a cat, 17 years old in human years; not sure what that is in animal years. He had been my son, Lenard’s, cat and he lived 8 years after Lenard’s death. Myles had a good life because he was a member of the family, and especially loved by Kyonna. He brought us much happiness; now we will go on with our lives having been made richer by his life.

On June 5, 2012, I did some writing, but it seems to be going slowly. Tomorrow is the last day of school so that will free me up to spend a couple of hours more in the morning to write. This morning, I noticed how much I am reliving all the wonderful memories of my loved ones – family and friends. When doing research, it is so exhilirating to see so many historical black events, and so many black contributors…

On July 22, 2012, I wrote, "Today is Sunday, July 22, 2012, at 2:00 P.M. Natia and Joe are having their little baby son, Joe, Jr. christened today at Grace & Glory. It is a momentous occasion. There are approximately 30 people in attendance here for the ceremony. A small dinner will be served afterwards.

I wrote a little on my book today. What I’m finding is that I need to write at least 2 hours per day to reach my tentative deadline of November 1, 2012. I’m adding much to it, but I wanted it to be truly historical. My dilemma is having it flow smoothly as it is read. This book is my perception, my recollection of facts, my understanding of its principles, its traditions, and its people. As I look back, this account of my experiences should answer questions:

What did my life really mean?

What is my legacy that I leave to my children, grand children, and great-grandchildren?

What impact did a small church, a small congregation of believers, have on my legacy?

Therefore, I continue on my journey to write this book, and to keep writing until it is finished. And at its completion, hopefully, I would have answered my questions. I will enjoy the ride!

Introduction

This journey I’ve partaken, this goal I’m pursuing, this vision I’m fulfilling has been some kind of a joy ride. I started to actually write the manuscript about 3 years ago, but I’ve collected material over several years. The process of reading to better understand, the process of reading to get knowledge, the process of reading to get a sense of history, and the process of reading for pleasure is the epitome of joy. I have been fascinated to learn the roots of our church, and to learn of the Brethren Movement. It is affirmation to look at what Grace & Glory’s ministry is all about and to check that with the Word of God. The church leadership over these 50 plus years have sought to present the Word of God without adding to, or taking away from its message. They have sought to not sugar coat the Word, no fanfare, no show. They are not perfect by any means, but they serve a perfect God.

It has been an awesome experience searching the scriptures more fully. It has given me a renewed joy for the Word. I’ve been in a praise mode as I think of our God and how much He loves us. He loves me through all my mistakes, through all my doubt, through all my discouragements, through all my pain, and, He loves me through all my joys, my mountain top experiences, through my giddiness, through my immaturity, and through all that is me. My dream has not dried up like a raisin in the sun, on the contrary, I’m on my way to the realization of my dream. I’ve begun that process.

My research included the civil rights movement, which was stimulating because I lived it as well. The great sacrifices that were made to move this country forward, to move it away from racism and discrimination and disenfranchisement elicited a myriad of emotions. Also, I have watched the evolvement of the Black Church and its’ involvement with its community. Some have preached the gospel, some have not, but they have changed their communities by providing food and clothing, by providing financial support, and by giving counseling and other services for families. Churches do make a difference. In this age of social media with so many of our young people disconnected from the values and mores and beliefs of our generation, it gives me hope when I look at the dedication of the Black Church.

As I continued on my journey, doing the research and the collecting, I began to actually put down on paper a brief history of my assembly, Grace & Glory Gospel Chapel, as it relates to my own history. I wanted to tell the truth, as I know it, and to tell the facts as they occurred. However, I can only relate what I have experienced and heard by word of mouth (oral history) and what I have read over the years.

I write to leave a legacy of exploration and discovery; a legacy of honesty and transparency; and a legacy of pride and cultural awareness. God exhorts us in Deuteronomy 6 to instruct our children on their history. The Israelites were to teach their history to their children, day and night. It was important that they know what God had done for them. So it is today. It is important that our children know and remember and understand from whence they came. Only then can they look to the future with hope and anticipation. Only then can they shape their future and move in the direction of making a difference in this ever changing, ever shrinking world that we live in.

The title of my book, From Grace to Glory – A Little Bit About a Lot of Things – speaks to the legacy I leave my children, my grand children, and my great grand children. As I look back upon my childhood, I see God’s grace bringing me through horrible accidents. At a very young age, I burnt my left arm on the face of one of those ancient, heavy black irons. In those days, the women put the iron on the stove to let it get hot to iron the clothes. I don’t remember how it happened, but it must have been life –threatening because, for years, the scar covered my whole arm – the outer side. The scar is still there but as I have aged, it has gotten smaller and thinner. Also, when I was two or three years old, I fell into the fire place and burnt my other arm, my right arm. It also covered a large part of my arm. Down south, they lit the small fire place for warmth, as well as, for putting sweet potatoes in it to cook. We ate sweet potatoes for lunch. I developed a dislike for sweet potatoes at an early age, but I had to eat them, or else. I don’t know who took care of my burns – it was either my mother or my Aunt Hattie – but I survived. God’s grace sustained me. Psychological scars, as well as physical scars remain until this day.

During my teen years, 1947-1951, life was pleasant. I had boyfriends and we did things like – go for a walk around the block, holding hands; go to the show (movies), which I truly enjoyed, and watched the movie intently, remembering every scene. I knew every movie star (it seems) and every movie, which I usually saw over and over. Gone With the Wind was an example of that. We’d sit on my front porch, and talk. My friends, Susan Benson, Jean Jones, and Georgia Stewart and their friends would join us. We’d sit for a long time until my mother came to the door and told me to come inside. Very simple living. Kids tried to smoke cigarettes, but no alcohol, no drugs. I remember seeing a boy who died of an apparent drug over dose in the late 1940’s. We found him, in the back of our apartment building, in an alley. He was laying on his back with one leg folded underneath the other one. It was an image that stayed with me, even unto this day.

When I met Lenzo and we started to date, he took me riding in someone’s car, along with his friends, Robert Davis and his girlfriend and Maurice Waters and his friend. We hung out on the far east side of Chicago, south of Commercial on 91st Street over by the New Friendship Baptist Church. Lenzo’s cousin, Willie Joe, lived around that neighborhood back then. Lenzo and I married when I was 17 years old and he was 19 years old. God’s grace and mercy sustained me and took me through those years. My young adult life was filled with having babies, raising children, going to undergrad school and studying, day and night it seems. Wherever I went with my children, I had a book. Attending junior college and then graduate school was challenging and stimulating. I met my life long friends – Jackie Crook, Annette Campbell, Lillie Clinton, Nancy Mitchell, Joanie Redus, and Gussie Rose. We studied together and supported each other through the personal ups and downs of weddings, births, losses, and celebrations. God’s grace and mercy took us through. My later years included a stellar career that went beyond my wildest dreams. My retirement years are the busiest ever and as I look back at my past years fraught with bad choices and mistakes followed by good choices and forgiveness, it is all good. My days are filled with thanksgiving and praise for one more day. My Little Bit About a Lot of Things is all about my favorite things, people, and places. My life has developed and mellowed because of these facts.

Being a part of the Jones/Thompson family and the Brockman/Shockley family is a source of pride. My dad and my mom left a legacy of strength, love, and commitment. The cliches never give up and stick-to-it-tive-ness came directly from them and permeates my whole being. My dad was an overcomer. Even though he was only 7 years old, he was already plowing the cotton fields in Fitzhugh, Ark. He could barely touch the handles of the plow. While his sisters could attend school, he could not because he had to help out at home. He was the oldest boy, so much of the responsibility of work fell on him. Nothing seemed to dampen his spirit. He was a happy-go-lucky guy, always joking, always laughing, and always fooling around with everybody. He flipped his finger at adversity. He proudly served his country in World War II like other young black men living through the cruel racism and discrimination, but never complaining. When he came home on furlough, he was upbeat, joking and laughing with us. I remember he said to my mother on one of his visits, You still love me like you used to didn’t? He always brought cheer and laughter with him.

My Aunt Mabel, my mom’s sister, had a stroke at a relatively young age, probably in her 50’s,. It was a massive stroke that left her partially paralyzed and unable to speak. It was touch and go for weeks. The doctors predicted that she was going to be disabled, unable to walk or communicate. However, with therapy, and love and support, Aunt Mabel learned to walk again and to communicate beautifully. She lived alone for years after her husband died and took very good care of herself and her big, German Shepherd dog. She loved going to church on Sundays. She wore fashionable outfits with dress, hat, gloves, and shoes matching. She was very sociable and personable. She loved to talk, always with a smile, and a joke. God’s grace and mercy took her through her illness and blessed her with good health and prosperity until she passed away.

It was a blistering, hot early afternoon on a Sunday. The sun was beaming down on us, so much so that it felt like being inside an oven. Lenzo, Le Shawn and Kyonna and I were attending my granddaughter, Keveesha’s church to witness her baptism ceremony. We were so happy to see her take this step in her spiritual development. She had accepted the Lord as her savior at an earlier time. After we arrived, other members of our family started showing up to support Veechie - Veech. Kevin’s ex-wife, Veleese, Veechie’s mom, was there as well. We had to stand outside in the heat, along with a long line of worshippers waiting for the first session to be over, and the second session to begin. When we finally got inside the church, and started to take our seat toward the front, my husband fell ill. He suffers from diabetes and hypertension and standing in that hot sun caused him to lose consciousness. He collapsed in his seat and the whole church came to a stand still, but the emergency team at the church immediately went into action. The paramedics were called, but the moments before they got there, the team performed CPR on him. Everyone in the church started praying out loud. They continued to work on Lenzo, and at first, he did not respond. They kept working on him, and we anxiously prayed, as well. Finally, his breathing resumed. They shouted, he’s breathing, he’s breathing! There was a loud cheer, en masse, and individual praising God for His mercy. The paramedics came and took him to the hospital.

It was a life – threatening moment, but God’s grace and mercy pulled him through.

In the early hours on May 20, 2010, my friend and sorority sister, Carolyn Wortham, lost her beloved son, Tommy, to gun violence. He was victim of a foiled, deadly robbery attempt. His dad, Thomas Wortham, III, a retired policeman shot 2 of the 4 men involved, killing one. Tommy had served two terms in Afghanistan/Iraq and was currently serving the Army National Guard. He was also a Chicago Police Officer. He was only 30 years old. There was an outcry in the media in Chicago when this happened. For days, the newspapers and radio, and television, as well as, other media ran front page coverage. The funeral was held at the Trinity United Church of Christ on Friday, May 28, 2010. For more than four hours, family, friends, and loved ones, and colleagues celebrated the life of Thomas, IV. The church was filled with more than 3000 mourners and more than 1,000 more mourned outside. It was a poignant occasion as different ones paid tribute to his life. His dad, Thomas Wortham, III said after his son’s death, I don’t intend to let my son’s death be in vain. I intend to start a movement to stop this violence. He and Carolyn have started a movement. There are scholarship programs for young men in Tommy’s honor, and the Cole Park has been dedicated in his name. Carolyn and her husband, and her daughter, Sandra have been all over the country, speaking, to help families who have experienced similar tragedies, making a difference in Tommy’s name. And now, according to the Chicago Sun – Times, Nov. 14, 2014 Edition, two of the men involved were found guilty of murder and face mandatory life in prison. God’s grace and mercy saw the Wortham Family through the most painful period in their lives and He is keeping them on a day by day basis.

Some years ago, my daughter, Sharon, experienced domestic violence in the worst possible way. It was shortly after her marriage to Alex – some 25 years – had ended. She was stabbed, beaten, and douced with gasoline by this absolutely crazy man who was insanely jealous and very controlling. She escaped and was taken to the hospital. She made a police report; the man was punished, according to the laws at that time, and Sharon slowly recovered physically. She decided to try and help other women of domestic violence, so she went to several places speaking of her experience, places like Westside Holistic Center, etc. (after her healing and after her own counseling) Sharon went on to serve God in a mighty way, using skills and gifts that God blessed her with to create programs, write messages of comfort for the bereaved, serving as financial officer for 4 organizations – CCWC, Circle Y Ranch, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., and Grace & Glory Gospel Chapel. To God be the glory for her life.

In 1994, my granddaughter, La Shundra, and Tierra’s dad, Genoit suffered an invasion of men with guns in their apartment. It was late night/early morning. Tierra was three years old. The thugs started shooting; Shundra shielded Tierra with her body from the gun shots, but took a bullet to her neck. Geno and Tierra were not shot; but Shundra was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. I went into caniptions, hollering and screaming when I got the news. My mother was with me when I went to the hospital. I thought she was going to die, but the bullet had passed through her neck without hitting arteries or vital tissue. The doctor later said she was very lucky. God saved her life. The doctor had done a wonderful job of working on her and keeping her alive. It was a miracle because I thought we had lost our granddaughter. God’s grace and mercy pulled her through. I took my first retirement from my job as principal at Carver Middle School in Altgeld Gardens after that incident. I felt a need to spend more time with my family. I had promised myself, years before, that if I could not give my all to my very demanding position, I would give it up. God helped me through that whole process and it was a great decision, and what was needed at the time.

On December 17, 2011, on a Saturday, I had a life – threatening, death – defying experience. I was on my way to my daughter’s home to take her a mac & cheese casserole. I had baked especially for her. It had snowed earlier and the roads were slippery and dangerous. As I entered the expressway, I accelerated too quickly and went into a virtual spin. It was the most frightening thing I had ever experienced. I could see myself losing my life. In that split second when trucks and cars could have slammed into me, my thoughts went to my two little great-grandchildren and I didn’t want them to experience another loss in their young lives. I had lost all control of my car. When the car stopped, it was close to the guard rail and headed in the opposite direction on the Bishop Ford expressway. My car was partially in the first lane. A lady approaching my car, slowed down and put her hand out to stop the traffic in the next lane. Through my tears, and through my total disbelief, I thanked her with my mouth and my hands… after the manner of Jane Wyman in the movie Johnny Belinda. I started my car again, turned it around and drove in the right direction. I was crying, uncontrollably, thanking the Lord for His divine protection. It was like the Lord sent an angel to watch over me; it was God who had kept all those trucks and cars from slamming into me. It was an out of body experience. I am still in disbelief and in praise mode each day, thankful for each day, each moment with my family. I proceeded to my daughter, Sharon’s home and she immediately knew that something was wrong. It was role – reversal as she consoled me, instead of the other way around. She calmed me down, giving words of encouragement. I had been angry when I left home and having unkind thoughts. The Lord permitted that experience to teach me a lesson of forgiveness. I asked the Lord’s forgiveness for being angry and unkind. And when I returned home, I apologized and had sweet fellowship with my family. I was thankful for many things, but the most important thing was that I was alone in the car. Thank God, for my life. Psalm 91:11 spoke out to me… He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.

My grandson, Charles Bub Levy, was traumatized as a young man, when he saw his best friend shot point blank in front of his eyes, right next to him. Bub never got over Anthony’s death and how he died. A few months later, he was chased and caught by a gang of thugs who almost killed him. That was enough for us to do something to save our grandsons. He and his brother, Tremaine, then went to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to live with their dad, my son-in-law, Charles Butch Levy. Life is simpler there and things move at a much slower pace. They both have families now and are progressing. God’s grace and mercy prompted that move.

There was a period in my marriage, during the early years, where we saw much rain, dark clouds, and whirlwinds. There were problems with the way we were raising our kids; there were financial problems; and there were social problems. My husband and I were going in different directions. We were both seeking happiness in our own way. We wanted to control the pursuit of happiness, not only for our personal selves, but for each other. There was conflict and resentment and vindictiveness. It was a very stressful, very painful time for me. I was crying a lot. I was trying to juggle raising the children, managing my household – cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, and working on a job, and going to school as well. After I finished school with a degree and a teaching certificate, I started teaching. My youngest son, Lenard, was born in Dec., 1968. I had been teaching for about 1½ years, so I took a maternity leave from my first school, Reavis Elem. School. When I returned, I went to work at Fort Dearborn Elementary School in September, 1969. It was a second grade class. I taught there and really enjoyed it until August, 1972. Those years from 1967 through the early 1970’s were difficult in our marriage. I asked God to harden my heart so that I would not feel so much pain, thinking if I could shield my heart, it would give me some relief. I thought of ending my marriage, but I thought of my children and somehow remained. It was difficult for us all. The children were in their teen years and my youngest child was just starting school. The marriage survived because we discovered at that time that we still loved each other very much. We started taking it one day at a time, and remarkably we have been married some 60 plus years. God’s grace and mercy took us through that period in our lives.

This story, my story, is like anyone else’s story with its ups and downs and highs and lows. It clearly shows that into every life some rain must fall. The rain in my history caused the flowers of blessings to grow and flourish. My story is about many things, not least of all about my relationship with a gracious and merciful God.

This story is about an ordinary person, who survived extraordinary experiences, surrounded by extraordinary people.

This story is about the sheer joy of living each day doing something, being totally engaged in something, in contant motion, every moment doing something pertinent.

This story is about decades of dreaming, and then finally putting pen to paper to make that dream come true.

This story is about two families, my dad’s and my mom’s, that provided the roots of love and kindness and strength.

This story is about a church that represents integrity and honesty and commitment.

The scripture verse that says,  . . . For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them., has special meaning to us as we sometimes meet in such small numbers. Regardless of the small numbers, this congregation of believers have overcome obstacles and difficulties to keep the ministry going. God’s blessings to this ministry is truly a monument of grace.

This story is about great friends, who love children and are dedicated to making a difference in their lives; friends who are involved in helping other women, teaching them to know Christ and to make Him known; friends who enjoy giving to charitable causes; friends who serve as shepherds of the money God has blessed us with. And finally, friends who are actively involved in providing scholarships to help young people further their education.

So, as others read these words of my historical account, sharing my amazing journey, and comparing it to theirs, it is my hope that they too will tell their story. Hopefully, they will tell their children about our generation. Let them know that we didn’t just go through the civil rights era. We lived the civil rights. We gathered around a little black & white TV and watched white police put water hoses on black marchers as they peacefully protested. Share with them the raw emotions of sadness and anger as we watched them put vicious dogs on black civil rights marchers and beat them with police sticks. Ask for their reaction to our seeing and hearing the deep hatred of white people taunting a little black girl as she enters an all – white school. Tell the children how you felt when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and how that whole weekend of events with his death, and then the killing of the man, Lee Harvey Oswald, by Jack Ruby; the funeral of the President with all the pageantry, precision, and ceremonial honor given to a great leader who lost his life partly because he was trying to help African – Americans have a place in America. Let them know that we, as a people, have helped to build this great country, from the beginning, with our blood, sweat, and tears. My generation remembers the day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed. I was at school, teaching my class, when the news came over the radio. The news spread through the country like wild fire. The children and the staff at my school, and at all of the schools in the city, were dismissed early in anticipation of trouble. We drove home (black teachers) with our headlights on to signal solidarity and to pay tribute to a great leader, a great man. People in cities across the country protested, rioted, looted, and proceeded to burn and plunder their own communities. It was all part of the turbulent 60’s. Also, in the 60’s, we were shocked and saddened by the deaths of Nat King Cole and Sam Cooke. There was hope as well, as we applauded President Lyndon Baines Johnson for signing the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, 1965 and 1968. Our generation went to the movies in the 1940’s and 1950’s to see some of the greatest movies ever made; we listened on the radio to the blues, jazz, pop music, rock & roll, and to our chagrin, country music, and it fit us just fine.

As a kid, in the 1940’s, I began my love affair with books and it hasn’t dissipated in all these years. Reading is my passion, my escape, my make-believe world, and my refuge.

The horror of September 11, 2001 (911) hit us all, very hard, and changed our country into something very different. The tragic event took away freedoms we enjoyed and took for granted as Americans. We felt the grief of each family who lost a loved one. By the grace of God we survived as a nation. Share with the kids what it felt like to elect our very first African-American President, and he is truly African and truly American, with a black African father and a white American mother. Ask them to share their feelings, as well.

So, when I began writing this book, I thought about all of these things; about what my life had been as a kid, as a young person, and as an adult; about my patriarchs and matriarchs who came before me, and how far I have come, and how far I still have to go. As I reflected on everything I’ve been able to remember, I made a new commitment to see life with new, clear, and focused eyes.

Additionally, as I listened to voices from the past – voices from my generation – it implored me to tell my story. Now, let that story begin.

Naomi Ruth Kilpatrick

Chapter One

The History

The history of the Assembly, named Grace & Glory Gospel Chapel, began many years ago with Talbot Burton Nottage (affectionately called T.B.) and his brothers Berlin Martin (affectionately called B.M.) and Whitfield Nottage. These three brothers had been in service for the Lord some 60 years. They were sons of Clementine Nottage and were born on the island of Eluthera in the Bahamas. They were discipled by gifted bible scholars, and they became street preachers and evangelists throughout the world.

The Nottage Brothers were avid students of the bible, and dedicated themselves early to the task of planting churches wherever they preached the gospel.

T.B. was the first to travel to the U.S. to seek employment. The others followed shortly afterwards. Like the Apostle Paul in the New Testament; the Nottage Brothers had a passion for spreading the Gospel to the lost all over the world.

When the Brothers arrived in the U.S., they were alarmed to discover a dearth of gospel preaching and a lack of sound bible teaching in the communities in which they settled. This then became their pioneering effort and finally their full time life work.

Sis. Lucy Lewis, one of the charter members of Grace & Glory, said that T.B. and B.M. Nottage came to her home to invite her and her siblings to attend their little church they were starting at 47th and Langley in Chicago. It was a little store front church. T.B. would normally preach first and then B.M. would preach. They were Plymouth Brethren and helped to establish that at the church. They had a tent and got people interested. The people who got saved in the tent meeting were sent to the store front church.

The Nottage brothers walked the neighborhoods, going from house to house asking people to send their children to Sunday School. This is how Sis. Lucy met Sis. Nola Hicks. They had asked Sis. Hicks’ mother to send her to their Sunday School. Sis. Hicks’ mother was very particular about where she sent her children, and she did not want to send her to this church. She eventually permitted her to attend. Sis. Nola Hicks was a fast learner and enjoyed reciting scripture verses. She never forgot those verses and continued to recite them over the years.

It is not recorded what year this occurred, but the Nottage Brothers made the trip from the Bahamas to Key West, Florida, first by T.B. and then B.M. and Whitfield later. They all found gainful employment in the U.S. By 1913, they were evangelizing in the Black Districts of New York City. They were holding open air meetings with hundreds being saved or restored to the Lord Jesus Christ. Unbeknownst to the New York Christians, a testimony of colored believers had already been established in 1912, in Richmond Heights, Missouri. This assembly was the outgrowth of a home bible study taught by a sister from the nearby Maplewood Bible Chapel. Therefore, this assembly probably has the distinction of truly being the first Assembly established among African-American believers in the U.S.

Branching out, Whitfield Nottage moved to Richmond, Virginia where he pioneered with tent meeting ministries. He was blind for his last 20 years of faithful ministry. For the next 20 years, T.B. and B.M. traveled widely throughout the United States. They traveled primarily by trailer, using a P.A. system and distributing bibles and testaments. It was called the Gospel Trailer. The Gospel Trailer went from New York to Florida, Wisconsin to Kansas, Texas to Mississippi, and from Iowa to Michigan preaching the gospel of deliverance through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Besides tracts, posters were erected on highways. Bibles were given out in churches and in the streets, in homes, and left on porches.

Everywhere and to everyone was the message shared, the only message of salvation, that glorious gospel of Christ that is still the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. By 1936, T.B. Nottage and his wife, Josephine and family moved to Cleveland, Ohio evangelizing until 1941. Many inner city assemblies began building buildings instead of using store fronts. A heart attack took his life on April 27, 1972 at the age of 87.

In the meantime, while pastoring the First Baptist Church of Detroit, Rev. Theodore Williams happened to hear a radio broadcast by B.M. Nottage. He was impressed by the message. Mr. Nottage heard Rev. Williams speak on the same station at a different time. B.M. offered Rev. Williams the free use of his gospel tent and on June 2, 1936, Mr. Williams raised the 60 x 40 foot tent. This began an association that would eventually result in the church plantings in Chicago.

Believing firmly that God was calling them to work in Chicago, the two preachers left Detroit. They arrived in Chicago in 1945 after nine years of ministry in Detroit. They found a company of eight believers meeting in a small store front at Langley and 47th Street. Brothers Edwards, Moseley, Stephens, Wooten and others were among these believers.

Earlier visits of the Nottage Brothers were responsible for the Southside Gospel Church Assembly. The present church building was erected in 1947. On July 1, 1947 this assembly was incorporated. It was called Grace Gospel Hall. The original trustees were Brothers Hoy, Mullin, and Williams. For six years, T.B. commuted from New York, coming four (4) to six (6) weeks at a time to help in the work in Chicago. Grace & Glory Gospel Chapel branched out from Grace Gospel Hall under the eldership of Brothers Gall, Mullin, and McCray. Bro. Gall chose the name Grace & Glory from the scripture, Psalm 84:11 which reads: For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will be withhold from them that walk uprightly.

The late Sis. Nola Hicks remembers going to that little store front church to the Sunday School class. Bro. Mullin was the Superintendent; Sis. Lucy and Sis. Mullin were there also. Bro. Gall and Bro. Talley attended the same church in New York. Bro. Williams came from Detroit and joined Mullin and Gall at the assembly and they were the Elders. Sis. Lucy and Sis. Mullin were the Sunday School teachers and Sis. Elizabeth, Sis. Lucy’s and Sis. Mullin’s sister, donated large sums of money to the church. It was still known then as Grace Gospel Hall.

The church then moved to 92nd and State in the back of a funeral home."

Sis. Hicks remembers the whole church having big treats where everyone got presents – everyone got treats during this big celebration. There was one male teacher. Sis. Lucy taught scripture verses and beautiful poems, skits, and plays and children had to memorize every line. You had to be articulate and enunciate each word. Mrs. Lois Davis, a friend of Sis. Hicks left Grace Gospel Hall and went to West Point Baptist Church after the split from 92nd St. There was much turmoil and the church split. It became Grace & Glory Gospel Chapel. Bro. Harvey Rollerson stated that he knew Bro. Gall, Bro. Williams, and Bro. Mullin before they incorporated Grace & Glory. He used to meet with them when they were holding meetings at the funeral home.

Bro. Williams was strong in his position and quite controlling at that time. Bro. Gall left and started Grace & Glory Gospel Chapel along with Sis. Lucy, Sis. Mullin, and Bro. Mullin. They started meeting at the YMCA on 51st and Indiana on the lower level and the believers sat in a circle to worship. Communion was conducted each Sunday with one loaf, one cup, and the same two pouches for collection that are currently used.

Inez Douglas was one of the early believers, when they started meeting at the Y. She brought in Naomi Kilpatrick to the church. Adine Douglas, Inez’s mother, Agnes Williams, Agnes Wilson, along with Lucy Lewis, Marian Mullin, and others become part of the believers that were gathered there.

Edward Watkins, who had been led to the Lord by B.M. Nottage, started at Grace & Glory at a later time. Clifford Larkin, from Wheaton, wanted Bro. Watkins to attend a fundamentalist church. Bro. Watkins first attended the Southside Gospel Chapel in the early 1950’s where Melvin Banks, Leroy Yates, Bill Pannell, and Bro. Edwards were Elders. Bro. Watkins was mentored by Bro. Moseley and Southside became his Mother church. He began to attend Grace & Glory so that he could be close to his job and his home. Bro. Watkins worked 2 jobs to support his family. He remembered at that time, there were very few fundamental churches – where the gospel was preached and where believers worshipped according to the New Testament churches.

Bro. Owbridge Fay Gall established Grace & Glory along with Bro. Frank Mullin, and Bro. Lucius McCray in 1947. The assembly moved to its present location – 7708 South Indiana in 1960 after meeting as a church, with Steward’s Foundation in 1957. Steward’s Foundation funded the property after having each believer, sitting in a circle, agree to paying off the loan over time. The congregation of believers were all dedicated to keeping that commitment.

The Learning Center of Jesus Christ in Harvey, Illinois was a branch from the Grace & Glory Gospel Chapel with the original leadership of Bro. James Fair and Bro. Ceolia Henry.

Laflin Gospel Chapel and the 86th and Bishop Gospel Hall provided baptismal pools for the newly emerging assemblies in the early days.

Changing ethnic patterns however, resulted in some movement within these churches. Laflin Gospel Chapel remained, however, under the leadership of Bro. Jack Mostert and Bro. McDonald.

The Westlawn Gospel Chapel branched out from the Southside Gospel Church in the 1960’s under the leadership of Bro. Leroy Yates, Bro. Melvin Banks, and Bro. Harvey Rollerson.

The Lighthouse Gospel Chapel was another branch out from the Southside Gospel Church Assembly. From the Westlawn Gospel Chapel the following branches emerged; the Roseland Chapel, the Christ Community Church and the Family Gospel Chapel in Bangor, Michigan.

B.M. Nottage continued to reside in Detroit, Michigan where he had founded the Bethany Tabernacle in 1932. He continued to be well known throughout the country. In Chicago, he spoke at the Moody Founders’ Week Conferences and on the WMBI Radio Station. B.M. continued his ministry at Bethany Tabernacle until his death, May 3, 1966 at the age of 76.

Much was happening in the United States and throughout the world in the 1940’s, 1950’s, and the 1960’s when Grace & Glory was conceived. These happenings, events provide a backdrop as to what God was doing in this little body of believers.

In 1945, on August 14th World War II ended and that same year, the beloved President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died suddenly on April 12th. The whole country was in mourning. In 1947, many things happened that affected the thoughts of the believers at Grace & Glory:

On behalf of the NAACP, W.E.B. DuBois edits and presents to the United Nations an appeal against racism in the U.S.

Ralph J. Bunche is appointed to the United Nations’ Palestine Commission and works with Count Folke Bernadette on the Arab-Israeli dispute; after Bernadette is assassinated, Bunche carries on the negotiations and arranges an armistice in 1949.

The Presidents’ Commission on Civil Rights attacks racial injustice in US in a formal report, To Secure These Rights. and

In the 1950’s, history continued to make a difference in the lives of believers:

Brown vs. Board of Education had a big impact upon our nation.

Montgomery Bus Boycott inspired others to get involved in the civil rights’ movement.

In 1955, the Selma to Montgomery March raised awareness of voting discrimination against blacks.

Jackie Robinson, baseball player, becomes the first black to appear on the cover of Life magazine.

Marian Anderson becomes the first black to sing in the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City In Verdi’s The Masked Ball.

And, of course, the turbulent 60’s was a test of resilience and survival for the entire nation. Believers and their families relied on their faith in a loving and caring God as year after year brought tragedy and trials to the black community:

These events and people made a big impact on the growth and progress of, not only Grace & Glory, but other churches, as well. Over the years, through the turbulent 60’s and beyond, much movement occurred in the churches.

Grace & Glory Gospel Chapel started as a small group of believers assembled on Sundays at a neighborhood YWCA. They met on the lower level in a medium sized room. The chairs were arranged in a circle so everyone saw the face of each believer. The service usually began with a song from The Believers Hymnal Book. That same book is still being used today by the assembly. The songs were led by Bro. Gall, who loved singing. His voice had volume, like a professional singer, and he sang loud and clear and with zest. He loved singing those hymns and sometimes, it seemed as if he was alone offering worship and praise to his God. The Breaking of Bread/Communion/Lord’s Supper was shared each Sunday morning. Collection of donations, tithes, and building funds were made each Sunday among believers, only. The same two pouches used then for collections are still used today. Visitors were not included as the pouch was passed around, however, a small box was provided for those who wanted to give. Then the message was preached, mostly by Bro. Gall, and then the service ended. The names of some of the early members of Grace & Glory were: along with Bro. Gall, Bro. Mullin, and Bro. McCray, Ruby Gall, Marian Mullin, Roberta McCray, Adine Douglas, Inez Douglas, Agnes Wilson, Agnes Williams, Nola Hicks, Lloyd and Lois Colar, Ruth Davis, Annie Allen, Alexander Allen, and Naomi Kilpatrick.

The current building was completed in 1960, with the land having been purchased in 1957 through the Steward’s Foundation. Through the years, during the 1960’s, the country was in turmoil with so much violence occurring. But somehow, with God’s help, Grace & Glory prospered and grew. The little assembly has remained and has survived, like so many other churches, in spite of the times. It has managed to bring the gospel message to those that are lost.

For many years during the 1960’s and 1970’s, many visitors passed through the doors of Grace & Glory. Some of them were students from Moody Bible Institute, from Emmaus Bible School, from Wheaton College, and from other places. The students were sometimes part of the service; sometimes they ministered in the Sunday School; and sometimes they were just there to share in the Breaking of Bread and to enjoy the message. Bro. Gall delivered a powerful gospel message each week. One of the most memorable families to visit and minister to us was the Bolt – Digby family.

Ansel and Stella Bolt were the parents back then, Joyce Bolt Knol-Digby was the daughter and a college student at the time. Joyce wrote this narrative regarding her history with Grace & Glory:

"My father came to know about the assemblies through the testimony of a Christian co-worker at the Wilson meat packing plant in the 1940’s, and he, my mother, and I began fellowshipping at the Laflin Street Assembly until we moved to Iowa in 1948. There my father and two of his brothers started an assembly in Ames. I was in fellowship there until I left Iowa to attend Emmaus Bible School in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1963. While there, I attended the Sunshine Mission and taught a Sunday School class. But on one occasion I was invited to go with some fellow students to Grace and Glory. I never forgot the wonderful time I had there and the warm welcome I received from all I met. In 1968, having completed my college education, I moved to the south side of Chicago and taught English at the Canterbury Junior High School in Markham. I had an apartment mate named Ginny Tillery who had been a friend during our college days together. On our first Sunday I told Ginny I was going to go to Grace and Glory and invited her to go with me, which she did. She had been raised in a free Methodist orphanage in Kansas City but attended the Assembly in Greenville, Illinois, with me when we were in college. We both felt so welcome and at home at Grace and Glory and enjoyed the fellowship there so much that we decided that would be our home assembly while we lived in that area. We were in fellowship during the five years we taught in Markham. Whenever my father came