OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
LORI E. LIGHTFOOT
MAYOR
January 15, 2020
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Moore and Harris, a resolution honoring the life and memory of Reverend Clay Evans.
Your favorable consideration ofthis resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly your:
ayor
1
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn of the death on November 27, 2019, at age 94, of the Reverend Doctor Clay Evans, a Baptist pastor, gospel singer, and civil rights leader who founded Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans was born on June 23, 1925, in Brownsville, Tennessee, to Henry Clay and Estanauly Evans. After moving to Chicago in 1945, Reverend Evans attended seminary school at the Chicago Baptist Institute. He later attended the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and the University of Chicago Divinity School; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1950 and founded Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in September of that year with five other members. In 1959, the Churph moved to its current location in Fuller Park; and
WHEREAS, After fifty years of dedicated service, Clay Evans retired as pastor of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in 2000. Following his retirement, Reverend Evans continued to hold an active schedule of ministry and participation in community events; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans joined the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. in promoting the civil rights movement in Chicago, and helped to found Operation PUSH, an organization dedicated to improving the economic conditions of black communities across the United States; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans served as the founding National Board Chairman of Operation PUSH from 1971 to 1976, later becoming Chairman Emeritus and serving on its board of directors until his death; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans founded the Broadcast Ministers Alliance of Chicago and the African American Religious Connection, and helped to develop and lead Concerned Clergy for a Better Chicago and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., among other organizations; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans is responsible for launching the ministerial careers of over ninety people, including the Reverend Mother Consuella York, the first woman to be ordained in the Baptist denomination of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans was a successful gospel artist, having recorded over thirty musical projects, often working in collaboration with the choir of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church led by his sister, Lou Delia Evans-Reid; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans entrusted his archive to the Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Library Center so that all Chicagoans can appreciate his rich legacy of pastoral leadership at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, his engagement with the civil rights movement, and his television, radio, and musical work; and
WHEREAS, A renowned faith leader, civil rights pioneer, and gospel legend, Clay Evans will always be remembered for his indelible impact on the City of Chicago and as a mentor and friend to many; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans is survived by countless friends and Fellowship members and his beloved wife of seventy-three years,.Lutha Mae Hollingshed. Together they had five children, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and raised a nephew as their own; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this fifteenth day of January, 2020, do hereby honor the life and memory of the Reverend Doctor Clay Evans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies ofthis resolution be presented to the family ofthe Reverend Doctor Clay, Evans as a token of our honor, gratitude, and utmost respect.
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resomnon
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^ Tlie (5i£i/ Gouncil °f t11* Qity of Ghicago, Illinois
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, David Moore
resented by and Michelle Harris
^Q\\&X&AS. The Menribers of 'tifiis Chamber Were deeply saddened to learn of Ihe death on November 27, 2019, at age "9.4, of the Reverend Doctor Clay Evans, a Baplist pastor, gospel singer, and civil rights leader who founded Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago; and
WHEREAS,Clay Evans was born on June 23, 1925, in Brownsville, Tennessee, io Henry Clay and Estanauly Evans. After moving to Chicago in 1945, Reverend Evans attended seminary school at the Chicago Baptist Institute. He later attended the Northern Baptist Theological-Seminary, and the .University of Chicago Divinity School; and
",-y ^i-WfiERE&S'^ minlstenin -1950 and founded
' Fellowship Mi'ssiomary.Bd^ yedrMh five other members-• ■• >
dhs;'retired as-pdstar^Bfc"^.
.WHErtEAS,'Cldy.:Evdns"i^
.dedicated.,:to.'impr.ovin of black communities.across the,.
United States; and' -.\ ■■ ' . •
'.,."/" "
WHEREAS, ■ Clay Evan's served; as the founding National Board Chairman of Operation PUSH from 1971 to 1976, later becoming Chairman Emerilus and serving on its board of directors until his death; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans' founded the Broadcast Ministers Alliance of Chicago and the African American Religious Connection, and helped to develop and lead Concerned Clergy for a Better Chicago and the National Baptisl Convention, USA, Inc., among other organizations; and
WHEREAS. Clay Evans is responsible for iaunching Ihe minislerial career, of ovei nmely people, including Ihe Reverend Mother Consuella Yoik. the first woman to be ordained in the Baptist denomination of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans was a successful gospel artist, having recorded over thirty musical projects, often working in collaboration with the choir of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church led by his sister, Lou Delia Evans-Reid; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans entrusted his archive to the Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Library Center so that all Chicagoans can appreciate his rich legacy of pastoral leadership at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, his engagement with 1he civil rights movement and his television, radio, and musical work; and
WHEREAS, A renowned faith leader, civil .rights pioneer, and gospel legend, Clay Evans will always be remembered for his indelible impact on Ihe City of Chicago and as a mentor and friend to many; and
WHEREAS, Clay Evans is survived by countless friends and Fellowship members and his beloved wife of seventy-three years, Lutha Mae Hollingshed. Together Ihey had five children, nine grandchildren, Ihree great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and raised a nephew as their own; now, therefore,
