The Rev. Willie F. Wilson, pastor emeritus for the Union Temple Baptist Church in D.C.’s Ward 8 for nearly 50 years, will officially hand over the reins to his daughter, the Rev. Anika Wilson Brown, on Saturday.
Brown will become the first woman to lead the church in its 53-year history. Brown’s investiture and installation were supposed to occur two years ago but the coronavirus pandemic forced church officials to postpone the ceremony.
Wilson, a fixture in the District’s political scene for decades, was a confidant of the late Marion S. Barry, who served as the District’s mayor for four terms and on the D.C. Council.
Wilson, a former candidate for the Democratic nomination for mayor in 2002, helped found UNIFEST, a cultural celebration, and was the executive producer of the Million Man March in 1995.
His church — with an estimated 8,000 members — attracted speakers such as South Africa President Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid activist Winne Mandela, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan, Dr. Dorothy Height, Dr. Bernice King, daughter of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks, as well as many politicians and political activists.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has been invited to attend the investiture, a news release reported.
Brown said she wants to continue her father’s work but also start her own legacy.
“I envision a church that is both inclusive and empowering, where all are welcomed to fulfill their divine destiny and call,” she said in a statement. “As I step into the path of legacy leadership, I am most grateful that my father is one of the trailblazers who has given his life to reshaping the course of history for African Americans. I get to stand on my father’s shoulders and I get to continue his legacy, but in a different way, in my own way.”
Pastor Willie Wilson I applaud for handing off the baton while you can still run beside your daughter! It was a joy to share this preaching journey with you many yrs ago.
Much love, Dr. Rita Twiggs
Awesome!!We Love you ❤️
Your Legacy lives on for Generations to come
I can’t wait to visit again.
Union Temple Baptist Church is the blueprint to my faith walk as a believer. Rev W.F. Wilson is one of my personal heroes. I am thrilled to see Dr. Brown take the wheel and drive to her purpose. This is epic for the D.C area and people around the country, Hey yawl from Dallas!!!
Thanking and praising God for all of his many blessings ✨️❤️
I thank God for the dynamic leadership of Rev. Willie Wilson (whom I interviewed with a team from Howard University School of Divinity regarding gentrification’s impact on African American churches in D.C.) and Rev. Mary Wilson (with whom I worked as a consultant with Ricky Payton’s Urban Nation HIP HOP Choir). Praising God that the impact of your legacy and commitment to the Black community will be enhanced and expanded under an even more fruitful ministry through your daughter, Rev. Dr. Anika Wilson Brown.
More proof of heresy and anti-christian doctrines.
And ALL who think this is good?
Blasphemers and biblically ignorant, man followers.
This is sad.Paul clearly states,that women are not to be elders.
I visited union temple after not attending for over 10yrs. And I must the changes and direction in which the church, has gone is sad. If wanting to be of the world was a person. The spirit is gone. When I seen a lady with a shirt that said “production”. That was a perfect description of the trouble show/performance that I witnessed. I truly overstand why the flock have left.