HomeMy WebLinkAboutCodesignation Application"d-o(l08-
CODESIGNATION APPLICATION
CITY OF MIAMI PUBLIC WORKS DEPARMENT
444 S.W. 2ND AVENUE, 8TH FLOOR
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33130
REV. DR. HENRY CURTIS MCDOWELL WAY
Dr. Enid C. Pinkney, (Contact) 305-297-7912 (cell)
Church of the Open Door (Congregational)
Applicant United Church of Christ Telephone 305-759-0373 (church)
I
Address 6001 N. W. 8"' Avenue Miami Florida 33127
Type of designation requested: (X) Location (Street):
1. Marker (Place) 8°i Avenue
2. Plaza From N. W. 57 Street
i
3 . Street Codesignation X To N. W. 62"d Street
Brief reason for codesignation request:
The members of Church of the Open Door and members of the community desire to give tribute and
honor to this wonderful manpost-humousl for the many lives he touched during his ministry in
Angola, with youth and young adults, with social justice and injustice issues during the civil rights era
and the JovinE kind way he was s F)astorto Pastormembers f his h and the communityboth here and
abroad.
(Attach additional background information if necessary) — see attached
Church Resolution
Accompanying pictures, articles and notes from Dr. Enid C. Pinkney
NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE*
A. STREET CODESIGNATION .................... . . ................ . ......................$700.00
B. MARKER DESIGNATION.........................................,..,...........,,,,...$700.00
C. PLAZA DESIGNATION................................................................. $700.00
I understand, as stated in the City Code, Section 54-92, all expenses on the part of the ci1y or any other
governmental agency plazas shall be paid b tl�pplicant in addition to any fees. This application carries
a non-refundable fee as stated in Section 54-93 of the City code.
SignaturtjofApp'Uant Jo- �(�� �G(cj� — ate
*If the application is approved by the City Commission, additional fees will be required.
® ECOVE C)
CCCburrb of the Open -Moor
� r
ter` (CONGREGATIONAL)
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
6001 N.W.ST" AVENUE
o� MIAMI, FLORIDA 33127
Rev. Dr. R. Joaquin Willis, Pastor
Telephone: 305-759-0373
Fax: 305-759-9311
E-mail: Opendoorc ®beIIsouth. net
Website: cotod.org
27 July 2010
The Honorable Commissioner Richard R Dunn, H
District 5, City of Miami Commissioner .
City Hall - Miami, Florida
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, Florida 33133
Re: Street NaminR REV. DR. HENRY CURTIS MCDOWELL WAY
Dear Honorable Commissioner Dunn:
This letter is a follow-up to our letter dated 15 July 2010, to formally request moving forward
with the street naming for Rev. Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell. Enclosed is a resolution that the
Church approved 25 July 2010, at its Quarterly Meeting. Our request is as follows:
We respectfully request that the City Commission designate Northwest Eighth Avenue from
Northwest 57`" Street through Northwest 62"d Street in honor of Rev. Dr. Henry Curtis
McDowell.
We truly appreciate your sponsoring this street designation which is well overdue.
Si erely, %
ev. aqu Willis, Pastor DRo L Enid
Church f the Open Door, UCG Committee Chair onsultant
RESOLUTION OF THE CHURCH OF THE OPEN DOOR TO SUPPORT THE CITY OF MIAMI
COMMISSON'S CO -DESIGNATION OF EIGHTH (8";) AVENUE IN HONOR OF
REV. DR, HENRY C. MCDOWELL.
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell was born in Epps, Alabama, and is a graduate of Talladega
CoUege, Talladega College Seminary, and Hartford Seminary; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell was the fust African American Missionary for the American
Missionary Association's mission in Central Angola, West Africa, and was supported by Black
Congregational Churches in the U.S.; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell served as a missionary in Central Angola, West Africa, nearly
forty (40) years (1919-1937) and (1956-1958), founded the Bunjei (Galangue) Mission, erected and
supervised the Galangue buildings, displayed expertise in psychology, history and philosophy of the
Umbundu Tribe, spoke Portuguese, an African Language, and translated the Bible into the African
language; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Board of
Homeland Ministries, was awarded the United Church Board for World Ministries Medallion for
Missionary Service, and awarded the Harmon Award for Distinguished Service in the field of Religion; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell assisted in Race Relations to the Dr. Charles Johnson of Fisk
University (1937-1944), held the Africa Chair at Hartford Seminary (1952-1953), visiting Lecturer on
African Culture to Hartford Seminary (1944-1947), and Lecturer at Chautauqua Institute, Chautauqua, NY,
(1962-1965); and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell served as Director of Lincoln Academy, established a Credit
Union in the Lincoln Academy Community, and served as Pastor of First Congregational Church, Kings
Mountain, NC; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell left retirement to organize and pastor the Church of the Open
Door, (Congregational) United Church of Christ, Miami, Florida; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell served as pastor at the Church of the Open, (Congregational)
United Church of Christ, between 1959 and 1967 and grew it from its infancy to a membership of over 400
during his service as pastor; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell pioneered youth programming, including the Pilgrim
Fellowship, active boy scout troops and girt scout troops through the Church of the Open Door,
(Congregational) United Church of Christ, that touched hundreds of youth and young adults in and around
Miami -Dade County, Florida, which provided the foundation for Black leadership that burgeoned in the
succeeding decades; and,
WHEREAS, the Honorable Leah Simms, the first Black female judge in the State of Florida, was a
product of the Church of the Open Door's Pilgrim Fellowship; and,
WHEREAS, Chief Samuel Williams, former Assistant Director of the Miami -Dade County Police
Department and Police Chief of the City of Ocala, Florida, is a product of the Church of the Open Door's
Pilgrim Fellowship; and,
WHEREAS, Ronald Blocker, Superintendent of Schools for Orange County, Florida, is a product of the
Church of the Open Door's Pilgrim Fellowship; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell was very active in the local National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was a familiar name in the articles that chronicled the sit-
ins, boycotts and law suits that gave rise to civil rights in Dade County.
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell's activism made him well known throughout the community for
his love and concern for all people; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell retired for the second time after he had led the Church in the
construction of the historic building that has been recognized for its unique architecture; and,
WHEREAS, The Church of the Open Door, (Congregational) United Church of Christ members wish
to celebrate the substantial role that Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell has played for the Church, the global
community, and the City of Miami; and,
WHEREAS, The Church of the.Open Door, (Congregational) United Church of Christ members ask
that the City Commission designate Eighth Avenue from Northwest 57h Street through 62"d Street in honor
of Rev. Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THIS Z_DAY F JULY, 2010.
PATSYNdDODENISE KEL6Y46HNSON REV'1 QUIN WILLIS
CHURCM CLERK CHURCH MODERATOR PASTO EACHER
GREETINGS . . .
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us!" We dedicate to His glory a "Sanctuary"
and. re -dedicate ourselves to the on-going adventure.
"Always there shall be visiops for the heart,
The press of endless passion, every goal•
A traveller's tavern whence we must depart,
On new divine adventures of the soui,"
—Edwin Markham
"1 have set before you an Open Door"—open to all who search fgr• God }
sincerity and truth, to oil who are tired and need rest, to all who mourn rg
need comfort, to all who are lonely and need companionship, to all wh65W.
and need a Saviour."
The Open Door also swings outward that the Christian Witrrl! may be feyt-
in ALL of LIFE, EVERYWHERE!
Thus, with thankful hearts we pray for continuing mercies; and in His name,
we press FORWARD!
REVEREND AND MRS. HENRWr-. McDOWELL n
�Pm,i
�al
it
.. •�,. C - itl.+fit.: r�taratt �" .�..i� � . - .
Al AI, 11
?Cr 14 S67- — — GLI
yeated_ : _ , i _ _i IJa dM
a
Av AMEN TAPT n9'• i _ .. _.
M.r.w sewed lige tralrad for eom.itment, l+,� cc: mnt:'actaA .,n in, mu.
A man w'e retired onlnt�'afd glv:ey.^ abn Held. He W ► son who
Aft" making his mark on Lsa 71t(tty-foot per cent of the 1, a Ltvyer In �.hicagis and
emtlntat of Atrltn aQI teHrs, ttwmbtn are under 21 year. rntMr who lr an archltecs 1
again WAX Sunday .Aft" chujestrch
M•:' . �f�n TR a 'WI
�ml Sn Ne Viagt;l islands, A
1 A
IlaAih a landmark [hurch grandson a student a: ,
Miami. SMortdt ua'L Hartford SemmerY. and a
ev. Henry C.� _ SSa mhaton• lldd for tLe i i r
l t t n orf ataaky ,radoab of 7attadera an
eh of the Open Door, Were d Harvard limn. More \.iTiureh
6001 NW Eirhth AW'J who o.ry Has Attiol� ae a proosl . I
Low b ,veal o7 his ll(e 1a N the het that yy same
Antra before he ,..chid the News On
mandatory retirement sit of i ahead. Lb. list of thoo, eooa par
I BA, 19A
65 for missinnarfa. II las
"I came /o MIAml hecause u t 1' 1st,7 bo scto, Uta .roe
ihrre — in, oplortunity to ' t n UoaAliKK and tbe� Afrtsan + A i
build Anme thin s that was not Poebrnead.
hlrt ..ether church." ax. c'i► granddaughter is soon to be
1 inM tM u et . The strife there — As else• roamed to a Peace Corte i
p • a i .spoken ha- • �y -hem In Africa —has toted wn-ker In Uganda.
live of Atabema who grew up the Church, the Rev. )dr. yet,
M MlasuAlppl. And the fhurch ay..7 Dowell .boerved, a Th. Rev. Mr. "'n
N the nrrn hone Aeflnlbly la �'� nd has... ll I
•� found It strong• VIII prcaeh h1. farew.n wr• '
not Jual Annl her church. '7t won't elwa robs •1 the 11 a.m. dervlre
Quiet,}'. from the brgip- . - H the way er Ihink !IN should. Suodq during which h. o•pl
nen¢, .nA ell onto! 11 hat`ti{'. - "he sant of the Atriean honerod by the rnnrreg.•
nn.n A r.ruliv Integrated Church. "Hut it hu a donne tM°' One of th. hnrnt, will '
•nn 1r 1 bona 07 1; n hl sr ba.ir In the fundamental use ••hhilehmrnt of
er I of ihr ip7 .robe" ,yL!'•t truth, at nruuanity` In Is nn,n. h,
gra laurAFlAn IndluAing i : Hla knowledge of Afnr. the Atfm. Chis, of Talladega '
-,rhes. se a+lt as American -r�A is And the Afriearu has mail.C°tlegr•
.dotes. At Ilea the p,,-.. 1 the wntte•Mtred minister a
.age has it 70, yiUed He w111 be iv
Kt'e haven't toad. +fir few
-.t hrl, As 1.MLra[ial
lru,eh." °b.—d the Rer.
Ar. nleDevtll. "Fe's. don. it
haI In bans of bell, a
artati.a eherab. The Rev.
—fir aw lean Me M JORM wALrwaa
Henry McDowell and His Church
"W1 rnuld h-, had A tarp. ' • . hlff eat 49 yen" of P"-hiny S,r di y
.r percante[e fit CaurAd i s mud n( the educational
nrmben, but we fu Ad to �� v.hleh gory on In those,
e a �oundin[ bard. •We .buildlnw. "i,'. t Ilk. what
WWI ,.At cruwders, Just %W
=ltriatl+n[."
Non.thelen, the Church el
:he Op.A Door Ir one of the
nowt Integnted PreuMta01
churches In the county and
'he only In terra lad church
ere when the Pastor is a
Ogre
AM for A church which la
-derninsAlly Negro, It
[Anda oul In .—I other
!.peal. which give the Rev.
It. WDea'ell A lot h( dads.
action
On• of Ihme la the church'&
Irane;al sum+. "W don't
• fish in,, end controls
or tune "bine like Ao many
:•ern rhuahn do," raid the
J Inr "We gh•e w a part et
.rorahm."
f nnvquenlly. M• 'AU,
;aMs. trhirh "Iran ntn,
n am aiih (etr•r than A
ova .emhen, finer astir,
',pA. nnrfh of pmperty
nd bniklinca en ,rhlrh the
-of ha. been reduced le oily
MOM.
The landecaprd tar -acre
Ir u torts' than u.u.l for
rg n churches. 7TH ]$7.seat.
1.OM aan[tuary Ie tirw tai•
modern And well Appoint.
. And the even ellue.lbnal
oblines are A ranty among
rgm church pl&nts.
The Rcv. Mr. Mci)oweil is
we did nn the mlaakln field
he wM. "We've bull, A tamlly
ehuroh ht- a. __n_
adtnteu le the State
Department and in authority
nn the sociology o1 the area,
He has eesvpled the Africa
chair at HatUordy 8ennedy
School of Mlutooa, and he
hope. to comp0e h1, 4.11
yeen
of Mtn Into • boab +1[er he
retlrn to North Carolhta.
That's the home of his pree-
ent ,At vent was a leacher
Mian JoinlAll her hu; he In
tt Yean of servtct In Anaoln.
salute by the .hot a atatthe
7:30 pm. service.
His auccenar at the
Church of the Open Door will
be the Rev. Hamid Long, A
native of Connecticut who
attended Unwin Univenity
eAd Yak Divinity Schml and
comes hen from A 13.Y A,
padterale at the First Co..
gregational Chhreh of Birm-
Ingham. AIA. H• wilt las_._
ti
®l -
no
- M we , Teras Christian University,l�`
-. of.tlJe Fort Waith, and expects to
Open Door in Miami, and k receive his B.A. in May. He is r -t
...ac , r;,,;',;� .,,::.•., _ .{:; :now of Kings Mountain•,�
-the -son of Mr. and Mrs.
,i ► ..:.. - 1J.0 , , f o u n itimpelf ` Simeon D: Griffin of North
2wrtrayed in it a.
-•. - .pageant •-�. MiamL• .
j errantly when he returned to
�
, Y The Journeymen are
(\ .4ngota for the 50th anniver college graduates no older
.bary of the church he Lound- than 28 who tic.,.:: f..r t. -V
-led there -in 1923 — the Bun. �' teary with eager mission.
:lei Mission, related to the PEOPLE �N "Ties in specific job assign -
United Church of Christ in p{� ments Overseas.
�the U.S. REL 06DN Of the new journeymen, 19
He was the first mission- were commissioned for East-
ary sent overseas by black. -wives would have the same ern and Southern Africa, 17
:Congregational -churches to protection and status as for- -tor East Aria,- 16 to South
:the U.S. under the American merip, but that America, a, eight to Europe and the
America, eight to Southeast
hoard of Commissioners for . he would select only. one for Asi
:Foreign Missions, now part his marriage partner. Middle East, four to West
�
i :of the United Church Board.. Africa and three to Central
:for World Ministries. i ?� *' 1r America and the Caribbean. _
He first went
to Angola in Among the largest group
:1919 as part of a three-man of Southern Baptist 'missio*' '
.team that explored the south- ary Journeymen since the The Rev. X Rex Eaton,
ern part of the country, trav- program wab begun in 1965, minister of First Church of
eling on foot. He selected the ' • _,A. is North Mi- the Nazarene, 11699w, Flag_
site of the Buajei Mission to ami'a Steve ler St, has completed work
Galangue, Angola, and withC,riG on his master of theology de -
his colleagues built a school,' ' ,; He was gree through the Nazarene
-hospital and domestic train -commissioned Theological Seminary, Kan-
ing school forgirls,. ;, .. at the foreign .nes City, Mo.
mission board•
DURING THE anniversary h e adquarters IECE
' proceedings, Dr. McDowell at Richmond,
i :who returned to the States in Va., and
is •.1959, recalled some of the 7®00AAtflarad,a,
+,:� employed for Sunda Savicas at 9
Problems encountered with student . worts r Roo, son W •r•.,
_ the Angola projects, includ- in'Ltraaka, Zambia.' Phone 274.0571 pial d
Ing conversion of the chief He to now, s i
bsen
vho' had four wives and or at
-
Under the circumstances had
:to change to monogamy.. PRESBYTER
. Eventually the 'problem" 0-31i ,was solved, Dr. McDowell
-said, by the chiefs assuringranthat elf hi9 chitdrep would be i ,1 MCDO.O. S.S. 9A A.Y. Wm,wle u' -treated equally, that alli wu.'n;n„r►m°i0'
The accompanying picture shows a sympathy Memorial March in behalf of the four girls killed at the
16'" Street Baptist Church which was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama. The march was held on N. W. 3rd
Avenue in Miami. The Miami News carried the enclosed picture. People from all races, religions, cultures
and walks of life joined the march. Among persons in the March were the Rev. Dr. Henry Curtis
McDowell, Dr. John 0. Brown, Father Theodore Gibson, Dr. Dazelle Simpson, Dr. George Simpson, Mary
V. Davis and Enid Curtis Pinkney. The article stated that more than 2000 people marched in the
procession. Some of the whites mentioned in the article on September 23, 1963 were Msgr. Bryan
Walsh, Msgr. William McKeever, Father John Kiernan, Luther Pierce, Robert King High, Mayor of Miami,
Commissioners Alice Wainright and Sidney Aronovitz and Rabbi Solomon Shift. This picture gives
evidence of Dr. McDowell's involvement in the community in the struggle for Civil Rights. His concerns
and cares did not just embrace his church, but extended to the wider community.
The WLRN Signal Magazine's cover page shows Dr. McDowell, Rev. Edward T. Graham, Dr. Carl Yaeger
and Rev. Cousins entering the Burdines Luncheonette to integrate it.
Enid Curtis Pinkney
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