A South Side church community on Sunday remembered Rev. Jesse Jackson’s integral role in its growth following his death earlier this week at the age of 84.
“We called him the honorary co-pastor, because the building we were standing in, he helped to make sure it was built,” said Rev. Reginald Sharpe Jr., pastor of Fellowship Church.
Fellowship Church, located along South Princeton Avenue and West 46th Street in Chicago’s Fuller Park neighborhood, is standing thanks to Jackson’s fight.
In his passing, the congregation is adamant to continue Jackson’s work.
“He allowed his faith to fuel his fight,” Sharpe Jr. said. “Church didn’t end on Sunday for him.”
“I know it’s going to be up to us to keep the movement going,” church member Barbara Seals said. “Even when he was sick, he was still doing things to help everyone.”
Sunday’s service started with a tribute video and continued with Sharpe Jr.’s sermon, in which he acknowledged a deep friendship with the late reverend and civil rights leader – who was a mentor and source of inspiration to so many.
“He became a symbol of hope, resilience, soul… so just trying to continue that legacy forward and not let it die with him,” Sharpe Jr. said.
The reverend told NBC Chicago he hopes everyone continues Jackson’s legacy through the civil right’s leaders spirit.
Jackson’s life and legacy will be celebrated at multiple events in Chicago next week.
Jackson will lie in state at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters at 930 East 50th Street in Chicago on Wednesday, Feb. 25 and Thursday, Feb. 26.
“The People’s Celebration” will be held at Chicago’s House of Hope on Friday, Feb. 27, beginning at 10 a.m. A Homegoing Service will be held at Rainbow PUSH on Saturday, February 28. Doors will open at 9 a.m., and the service will begin at 10 a.m.