Column: Glenn Fubler On Canon James Francis
[Opinion column written by Glenn Fubler]
The recent passing of Canon James Francis, marks a milestone of a ‘Life Well Lived’.
He grew up in the A.M.E. Church in Bermuda and in the 1961 went off to Wilberforce University – an AME school in Ohio– to pursue a degree in Divinity. When he graduated, he sought out a role as a pastor at various AME Churches in that State. However, he was unsuccessful in that regard, but was offered a role in an Episcopal Church [Anglican churches in the U.S.].
This first Church that James Francis pastored had been in decline for some years adversely impacting the church itself and also its adjoining school. Francis took on this challenge with ‘both hands’ and over a matter of a few years, his engagement with the surrounding community paid off. So much so that in the mid-60’s Martin Luther King and his team visited Francis’ Church, as a part of an Ohio-wide campaign and they specifically highlighted Francis’ exemplary efforts.
That piece of history wasn’t shared locally by James Francis himself, but came to light from two Bermudians – Winton Williams [former school principal in Ohio] & his nephew Rex Darrell, both of whom witnessed that SCLC rally first hand. This exemplifies the humility which was at the core of Jim Francis’ character. It is that characteristic that facilitated this clergyman’s ability to engage people from widely diverse backgrounds and connect with them.
His nephew – Albert “Apples” Richardson – tells the story of his time – as a teen – living with Uncle Jim, in Detroit. “Apples” recalls going out with his uncle to walk his dog and they would most often go into those areas where numbers of young men would hang-out and the pastor would always end up with some “rich conversations” on a variety of topics. As a result – “Apples” reports – James Francis became known as the Gangsta Priest, in the ‘Motor City”.
Francis also founded the Lincoln Heights Health Clinic, during his tenure in Detroit.
This highly regarded pastor was appointed Canon Residentiary of the Anglican Cathedral in Bermuda in 1985, leading to his return home. He served that role for 12 years and subsequently took over Christ Church [Devonshire] for 20 years. During that substantial tenure he became well-known for his down-to-earth persona and his dedication to the wider community. Employing ‘out of the box’ approaches he inspired Christ Church, resulting in fostering a regeneration, mentoring upcoming generations and demonstrating a sustainable model in this age when many churches have been in decline.
He also served in a variety of ways in the wider community, with one of his favourites being his pivotal tenure with the Human Rights Commission. Up until his early 90’s Canon Francis would engage others in his favourite neighbourhood restaurant or with ‘mates’ on the Golf Course.
My favourite memory of Canon Francis happened about 5 or so years ago when he was ‘filling in’ at Christ Church and their young people were doing a Break Dance during a Service and because one of their members was absent, James Francis ‘filled in’ with the dance group.
His Spirit lives on in the hearts of many.
- Glenn Fubler
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