Source: Newsday LLC / Getty
Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts III has died at the age of 73 after serving for decades as a pastor at Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City’s Harlem community.
“It is with profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, lll, who peacefully transitioned in the early morning of October 28, 2022,” the church wrote in a statement announcing Butts’ death. “The Butts Family and entire Abyssinian Baptist Church membership solicit your prayers for us in our bereavement.”
In a statement sent to NewsOne, Rev. Al Sharpton said Butts “was a major pillar in the Harlem community and is irreplaceable.”
He was a dominant faith and academic leader for decades. We knew each other for more than 40 years, and while we did not always agree we always came back together,” Sharpton continued. Over the last three years, he and I worked closely as co-chairs of the Choose Healthy Life national campaign to help the Black community fight COVID. We spoke as late as a couple of weeks ago about this work, as he was still fighting cancer. He will be tremendously missed.”
Saddened to hear of the passing of Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts, a true treasure. He was an educator, and a Pastor of the highest level, he served both duties for decades. We found ourselves differing at times but we’d always come back together. pic.twitter.com/2Ba3olTXhO
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) October 28, 2022
According to Gothamist, Butts founded the Abyssinian Development Corporation during his time as pastor for one of the largest congregations in NYC. The ADC is a non-profit focused on housing that developed an estimated $1 billion worth of residential and commercial property in Harlem.
From Gothamist:
Butts grew up in the city, graduating from Flushing High School in Queens and then Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He then came back to New York to earn a master of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary as well as a doctor of ministry degree from Drew University in New Jersey. He also served as the president of SUNY Old Westbury.
He frequently criticized the de Blasio administration on issues where he sought sweeping reforms, including criminal justice and policing. Butts had repeatedly called for an overhaul of the city’s police force and the firing of Daniel Pantaleo, the NYPD officer who killed Eric Garner in 2014, years before the department terminated his employment.
Butts joined Abyssinian as a youth minister in 1972, according to ABC 7, and was part of the legendary church for 50 years, serving for about three decades as the church’s lead pastor.
He also served as President Emeritus of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury and in the Fordham University Graduate School of Education as a Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy Division.
Since his death, which, according to Sharpton, came after he battled cancer, he’s received an outpouring of honors on Twitter from prominent activists and educators like civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill, Cornel West and writer Michaela Angeles Davis, as well as prominent politicians like former Ney York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
This is huge. A leader, activist, steward of a great Harlem institution, #RevCalvinButts has passed on.
Rest in Power, Rev. Butts. https://t.co/OjnLzUmfHU— Sherrilyn Ifill (@SIfill_) October 28, 2022
Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III was a man of God, an academic committed to shepherding the next generation of New York leaders, a humanitarian devoted to improving the lives of his fellow man, and also a friend.
My statement on the passing of my friend, Rev Calvin Butts pic.twitter.com/ibTId35dp9
— Andrew Cuomo (@andrewcuomo) October 28, 2022
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my very dear brother the great Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts lll – my deep friend of over 40 years! My love and respect for him are forever! God bless his precious wife Patricia and his family! #RevCalvinButts pic.twitter.com/oyb8BIouxr
— Cornel West (@CornelWest) October 28, 2022
Thank you for your loving service, Rev.Calvin O Butts..a Harlem bedrock
pic.twitter.com/lOzmAJL64j
— Michaela angela Davis (@MichaelaangelaD) October 28, 2022
According to ABC, Butts leaves behind three children and six grandchildren.
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