On Sunday, over 100 people gathered on West 138th Street in Harlem for a block party celebrating the launch of the Abyssinian Baptist Church’s Dr. Calvin O. Butts III Educational and Cultural Center.
The event filled the street with food trucks, lively music, and a bounce house for children, right outside Abyssinian Church—where Rev. Butts, a highly influential figure, delivered sermons for more than three decades. Notable New Yorkers, including Senator Chuck Schumer and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, spoke before the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expansive new center.
“Today is a blessed day, truly blessed. We gather to honor our friend, a remarkable man and dedicated servant of God, Dr. Calvin Butts III,” Schumer stated during his speech at the ceremony. “It was an honor to refer to Dr. Butts as a colleague and ally in our mutual mission to better the lives of people in New York and Harlem.”
“Whenever I faced challenges, whether political or personal, he was among the first individuals I would reach out to, offering me guidance and strength, advice that I will always cherish,” he continued.
The newly unveiled center is a five-story structure located on West 138th Street, adjacent to the century-old church. The church itself, an integral part of the Harlem community, has a history spanning more than 200 years. The center includes various amenities such as classrooms, event spaces, lecture halls, and even a garden patio for community activities.
Butts, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 72, had long envisioned creating such a facility in Harlem. According to leaders of Abyssinian, the new center is a fulfillment of his lifelong vision.
“This is the last part of Reverend Butts’ vision, opening the center. So in here, it’s not just going to be for our church, but it’s gonna be for the community,” said Rev. Kevin Johnson, who was personally mentored by Butts and now leads Abyssinian.
“We’ll have educational seminars, financial seminars, and where we will help people actually dream and fulfill their dreams,” he added. “Abyssinian has always been a part of the Harlem fabric, and this center is totally dedicated to making sure that Harlem stays alive.”
Butts first became a minister at Abyssinian in 1972, and stayed for more than 30 years until he became president of the State University of New York at Old Westbury on Long Island from 1999-2020.
During his time at Abyssinian he became known for his fierce advocacy of Harlem and black New Yorkers, and gained a reputation for a deft ability to work with politicians on both sides of the aisle to get what his community needed.
One of his proudest causes was preserving local housing for low-income neighbors, which was championed through the Abyssinian Development Corp. and has a legacy still felt today.
DA Bragg — who grew up going to Sunday school at Abyssinian and now teaches there — told the crowds Sunday how his high school service project was helping the church call real estate developers to see what could be done with the building next door, and that he could barely believe it was now their own community center.
“My heart is just overjoyed,” Bragg said, “Just to be here for this day, God is good.”
Butts’ wife and son Patricia and Calvin IV were also in attendance, and Calvin told how the ceremony fell on the 78th anniversary of his great grandparents 1947 wedding.
“This is a great day,” Calvin said, recalling how his father often talked about his hopes for the center. “I know that he would be extremely grateful to all of you for your support. And extremely hopeful for what this space means for our future.”
Patricia herself helped the center’s ribbon after all had spoken.
“To all of the Abyssinians, family and friends, let me say, thank you,” she said.
