Press Release - Friday, January 27, 2006
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Chicago's very own Rev. Clay Evans receives Illinois Hometown Hero Award!
CHICAGO - Friday, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn presented the Illinois Hometown Hero Award to Rev. Clay Evans, the legendary founder of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, in recognition of his efforts to welcome Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he moved to Chicago 40 years ago to fight for civil rights and social justice.
On January 26, 1966 - 40 years ago this week - Dr. King and his young family moved into a dilapidated, four-room, third-floor walkup at 1550 S. Hamlin Ave. in North Lawndale. The home has since been torn down and only a vacant lot remains.
Dr. King's arrival launched the beginning of the Chicago Freedom Movement, a grassroots campaign to obtain jobs for the unemployed, adequate housing for the ill-housed, and an end to school segregation. However, a number of influential people and elected leaders in Chicago shunned Dr. King's arrival and message and withheld their support for the civil rights leader.
Rev. Clay Evans was one of the few Chicago ministers to openly welcome Dr. King and his movement. Risking ostracism and political and social backlash, Rev. Evans offered his church as the founding place for the Chicago office of Operation Breadbasket, the economic arm of Dr. King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
As a result of his support for Dr. King, construction of a new sanctuary at Rev. Evans' Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church was halted and its city permits were abruptly cancelled. The exposed steel girders of the church sanctuary would rust for the next seven years.
"Forty years and one day ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. moved to Chicago to carry on his fight for civil rights for all people," Quinn said. "Next week, Black History Month begins and there's no better way to remember our Chicago history than by saluting Rev. Clay Evans, an unsung hero who risked everything to help Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and further the cause of justice for the people of Chicago and our nation."
Rev. Evans founded Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, affectionately known as "The Ship," in 1950. Located on Chicago's South Side, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church has developed a thriving congregation over the years. The church's weekly sermons, broadcast via television and radio in ten states, reach millions of people. Its renowned 250-voice choir has produced 25 gospel albums with Rev. Evans as vocal soloist.
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State of Illinois
Office of Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn
Hometown Hero Award
2006
WHEREAS, 40 years ago this week, on January 26, 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. moved to Chicago to continue his campaign for civil rights and social justice for all people; and
WHEREAS, bringing honor to our state, Rev. Clay Evans - the legendary founder of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church -welcomed Dr. King; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Evans offered his church as the founding place for the Chicago office of Operation Breadbasket, the economic arm of Dr. King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); and
WHEREAS, Rev. Evans endured ostracism and social and political backlash for his support of Dr. King and his movement; and
WHEREAS, the state of Illinois depends on the leadership of individuals committed to the greater good; and
WHEREAS, it is through the noble actions and sacrifices of everyday people that we pride ourselves as residents of our state and country; and
WHEREAS, Hometown Heroes are leaders who bring a shared vision for a better future, give freely, and support the cause of justice; and
WHEREAS, we are connected as a people and one act of courage can inspire others reach beyond the limitations of society; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Clay Evans is an inspiration to his fellow citizens and his stewardship is a tribute to the Land of Lincoln; and
THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois, hereby commend and salute Rev. Clay Evans for taking a stand for justice so that the true ideals of American democracy would be realized by all Illinois citizens.
Dated this January 27, 2006. _____________________
Pat Quinn
Lieutenant Governor
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