Facebook-f Instagram Twitter

WATCH: Chicagoans remember life, legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson

Rev. Jesse Jackson with two men, the Rev. Charles Jenkins and the Rev. Reginald Sharpe
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, left, shakes hands with the Rev. Charles Jenkins and the Rev. Reginald Sharpe at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. (Photo courtesy of Debra Earl/Fellowship Chicago)

By Morgan Norris

Medill Reports

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the iconic civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, died Tuesday surrounded by family at his Chicago home. His church community remembers him not only as a humanitarian but also as their reverend.

 

TRANSCRIPT

NARRATION: As Chicagoans lay flowers and letters to mourn the loss of Rev. Jesse Jackson, they remember him as a civil rights leader, a former presidential candidate — but also as their reverend.

CONGREGATION MEMBER: I wanted to catch the angels carry him home.

REV. JESSE JACKSON: When you know somebody …

FRAZIER POPE: My first time meeting Rev. Jackson was actually in this room during the anniversary Sunday in 2019, here at Fellowship Chicago.

NARRATION: Executive Pastor Pope remembers him, just as the rest of the congregation does, as co-pastor. Minister and Executive Assistant Debra Earl says his impact on the church runs deep.

DEBRA EARL: In fact, pivotal to our sanctuary that we worship in today being built. There were banks that refused to give us loans.

NARRATION: Because of the previous reverend, Rev. Clay Evans’ involvement with Martin Luther King Jr. … and knowing how close Rev. Jackson was to the late MLK …

EARL: Jesse Lewis Jackson saw to it that our edifice, our sanctuary, would be built. And so who else to term as co-pastor at Fellowship other than him?

NARRATION: Even before his time at Fellowship Chicago, Rev. Jackson left a mark on Chicago Theological Seminary.

REV. BRIAN SMITH: He was a student who believed in practicing what he preached. (He was) one of those who wanted to make sure that he lived out what he studied. He wanted these books behind me to come alive.

NARRATION: Fellowship Chicago is working on arrangements to honor Rev. Jackson at his home church. But in the meantime, residents want you to remember …

CONGREGATION MEMBER: I am somebody, and so are you. He teaches that somebody had to do it. If not me, then who?

JACKSON: I am. God’s child. I am. Somebody. Give yourselves a hand.

NARRATION: Morgan Norris, Medill Reports.

Morgan Norris is a video and broadcast specialization graduate student at Medill.