Late Rev. Bullock honored at Washington Heights UMC

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Late Rev. Bullock honored at Washington Heights UMC

Jul 22, 2021

Room rededication in his name attended by mayor, daughter

by Erin Joy Gentry

Shopper News Contributor

“A pillar in Battle Creek.”

“A strong advocate for the Washington Heights Community.”

“An activist for equity.”

“A great man.”

The tributes for the late Reverend Clifton V. Bullock were not in short supply during the service at Washington Heights United Methodist Church (UMC) on Sunday, July 18; however, the remembrances were not given in the context of a funeral service for Bullock, as he passed away 30 years ago in 1991.

Instead, those gathered together - a combination of Washington Heights UMC members, friends of Reverend Bullock and local dignitaries, including Mayor Mark Benkhe - were there for the special dedication service of the Clifton V. Bullock Memorial Community Room, which was held within the morning worship service.

More recently known as the “Hub of H.O.P.E.” (Hospitality, Opportunity, Purpose and Engagement), Washington Heights UMC has been a fixture in Battle Creek since the early 1900s.

Reverend Bullock was an integral part of the church’s storied history, so much so that when Pastor Monique French was appointed as lead pastor of Washington Heights UMC in July 2020, she heard Bullock’s name again and again as she spoke with her new parishioners.

“When I asked people in the Washington Heights community what they remembered most, his name came up again and again,” said French in a separate conversation.

“People talked about the programs in place under his leadership, they said how instrumental in the community he was, and they spoke of the different agencies he worked with to meet the physical needs of the people here.”

Under Bullock’s leadership of the Washington Heights UMC, which began in 1976, the church relocated to the property it currently occupies today, paying off the mortgage around 10 years after Bullock arrived, as well as expanded its ministry focus for the surrounding area.

The church’s name was expanded to include “Community Ministry” beginning with Bullock’s time in the pulpit at Washington Heights UMC, signaling Bullock’s prioritization of community-oriented service.

Bullock’s heart for the Washington Heights community resulted in significant outreach efforts; he solicited partnerships with local businesses and charitable organizations, he served on various boards and committees and after his death a scholarship was founded in his name to advance educational opportunities for minority students in Battle Creek.

According to the Battle Creek Community Foundation website, “The Clifton V. Bullock Minority Education Endowment Fund was established by the Kellogg Company in 1991 as a tribute to the work and life of Reverend Bullock.

“In December 2015, after the passing of his wife, Mrs. Voncile ‘Bonnie’ Bullock, the family successfully requested the name of the fund be changed to the Rev. Clifton V. Bullock and Voncile ‘Bonnie’ Bullock Minority Education Fund, in honor of her many years of actively supporting and promoting the fund since its establishment in 1991.”

Joe Stewart, a retiree of the Kellogg Company and close friend of Reverend Bullock, spoke of wanting to honor his friend “Cliff’s” vision and how he and then-Kelloggs chairman and chief executive Bill Lamothe established the legacy scholarship.

“I’m just so pleased I had the chance to know him,” said Stewart, in his remarks.

“As a human being - a pure, outright human being - he was the kind of soul you think God intended humans beings to be.”

Stewart likened Bullock to famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass, showing images of the two men side by side and remarking on the similarities between them - not just in looks, but in activism and integrity as well.

“In a sense, you fast forward [from Douglass’ time in the early 1800s] to the 1980s, and what was Cliff Bullock doing? The same thing Frederick Douglass did in the 1800s - and I commended him for it.

“He was the man known in this community for standing up for justice and equality - that’s how he spent his every day.”

Reverend Bullock’s daughter, Vidette Bullock-Mixon, also provided remarks for the occasion, having traveled from her home in New York.

Bullock-Mixon spoke of her father’s enduring legacy as well as that of the church; “I recently saw a press release and I was so proud that the Washington Heights [UMC] was commended for its community involvement and working in partnership with others,” she said.

The award referenced in the press release, the “One Matters Award” from Discipleship Ministries, was given to the church in recognition of “partnering with other community organizations to address food insecurity, support for senior health and hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic, in addition to other programs,” per Bullock-Mixon.

“It is my prayer that God will continue to bless the Washington Heights community ministry as you continue to serve as a ‘Hub of Hope’: hospitality, opportunity, purpose and engagement,” she said.

Other remarks were given by former Battle Creek Mayor Maude Bristol-Perry, who called Pastor Bullock “truly a dear friend” and credited his encouragement for her historical mayoral run in the 1980s as the city’s first Black female mayor.

“Remembering Pastor Bullock really, really gets to my heart,” said Bristol-Perry. “I stand here before you today to let you know that the only reason I became the mayor of this city was because [of] Pastor Bullock.

“Pastor Bullock stood by me, guided me, along the way. He was a strong advocate, as you know, in the community, and he was very passionate about community service.”

Bristol-Perry’s remarks also touched on the involvement and participation of Bullock on various local committees with the desire to help the vulnerable young people in the community and promote better quality of life.

“I want you to know he was an advocate - he fought fairly - and what he fought for was equity in the Washington Heights community,” said Bristol-Perry as the room broke out in affirmations and applause.

Bristol-Perry reminisced how tirelessly Bullock worked to ensure that the Washington Heights community wasn’t overlooked when the city had funds to distribute to its various neighborhoods; “I remember many a time when he really had to stand up and say, ‘Don’t forget about the Washington Heights community’,” she said.

Bristol-Perry concluded her remarks by expressing thanks to the Washington Heights UMC for continuing the legacy that Bullock established, and said that Battle Creek is a very good community; “When things get tough in Battle Creek, everybody stands up and supports each other - and that’s a fact,” she said.

Officials from the City of Battle Creek, Calhoun County, the State of Michigan as well as a representative from the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church were in attendance; two official proclamations were read and presented by the city and county as part of the dedication service.

Pastor Monique French used the occasion of honoring Bullock’s life of service and advocacy as a way to encourage those gathered in the room as well as live-streaming the service online.

French began her sermon by acknowledging that the packed room was a “testament to his character”, and was “unapologetic” in saying that Bullock was a great man.

“Choose to live lives of influence at home. At work. Online. In the community,” she exhorted the congregants. “The time we spend is the pen we use to write our legacy - choose wisely the legacy you want to leave.”

Following the service, those present gathered outside of the door into the newly-christened Clifton V Bullock Memorial Community Room for a brief ribbon cutting, followed by a “strolling buffet reception”.

A large portrait of Bullock, painted by Battle Creek Central High School alumni Mariah Compton, now adorns the back wall of the gymnasium, leaving an enduring and visible reminder of Washington Height UMC’s legacy of service.

Reflecting on what led to the rededication of the space, French said that the room, which was already named for Bullock, was showing signs of wear and tear with the years of use.

“We were hosting the micro [COVID-19] vaccination clinic, and with the constant in and out and the wear and tear on things, it was time for things to be re-done. In re-doing it, we thought, ‘What better way during this time to re-dedicate it in his honor?’” said French.

French indicated a strong desire toward continuing the rich culture of community care already in place at Washington Heights UMC, saying that she is eager to rebrand as the Hub of HOPE and increase efforts toward meeting physical needs in the immediate community.

“Washington Heights used to be a place where the needs of the people who lived there were met with guidance,” she said. “We’re trying to build upon that legacy.”

Work is currently underway to revitalize the outside of the church as well; French indicated that funding from the Battle Creek Community Foundation, The United Way, and private donations are currently being used to update some of the playground equipment on the church property, among other capital improvements.

“We want to utilize the land the church owns to the fullest capacity,” said French. “We plan to replace the slides on the park area, resurface the basketball hoops and replace the rims outside, and add some outdoor fitness equipment.”

French also indicated that work is underway to update the church’s kitchen so that it can become a licensed commercial kitchen, with the goal of serving several “hot, healthy meals” each week - something French hopes will also provide employment opportunity for people living in the Washington Heights neighborhood.

Other outreach efforts overseen by French include the church computer lab, which is open two days a week to serve those in the area without home computers or internet access who need to attend virtual medical appointments or apply for jobs, as well as an “education cafe”, where resource materials for children up through adults are available for topics ranging from self-confidence to financial literacy.

Echoing the heart of her esteemed predecessor, French summarized the efforts of Washington Heights UMC - the “Hub of H.O.P.E.” - as aimed towards improving the lives of the individuals within the Washington Heights community.

“We believe if people individually can thrive, then as a community, we can thrive.”

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Those interested in donating to either the outreach efforts of Washington Heights UMC or the Rev. Clifton V. Bullock and Voncile ‘Bonnie’ Bullock Minority Education Fund can visit www.washingtonheightsumc.org or www.https://www.bccfoundation.org/fund/rev-clifton-v-bullock-and-voncile-bonnie-bullock-minority-education-fund.

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