Frederick B. Williams facts for kids

Frederick Boyd Williams (born April 23, 1939 – died April 4, 2006) was an important religious leader in the United States. He served as a Canon at the Church of the Intercession in Harlem, New York, from 1971 to 2005. He led a very active church community.

His church was the first in the country to create programs to help people with AIDS. He also supported the arts, giving the Boys Choir of Harlem their first home. Frederick Williams helped start the Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI). This group brought together 90 churches to build homes and shops. While studying for his doctorate, he led a church that worked for civil rights and fairness, both in the U.S. and Africa.

Early Life and Education

Frederick Williams was born on April 23, 1939, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He grew up in the Southern part of the U.S.. He went to Morehouse College, a famous historically black college in Atlanta, Georgia.

He earned another degree from General Theological Seminary in New York. Later, he received his doctorate from Colgate Rochester Divinity School.

Career and Community Work

Williams was one of many church leaders in New York who worked to make big changes. He started his career as a priest in Washington, D.C. and Inkster, Michigan.

From 1971 to 2005, Williams led the Church of the Intercession in Harlem. This was an Episcopal church. Under his leadership, the church began to address new challenges like the AIDS crisis. They also worked on long-standing issues like community development and social justice.

Responding to the AIDS Crisis

In 1985, Williams invited 50 Black ministers to a meeting about AIDS. Only 15 came, which showed how hesitant people were to talk about the disease back then. After this, he led his church to be the first to create programs to help and care for people with AIDS.

He supported Pernessa C. Seele when she started the Harlem Week of Prayer in 1989. This event brought together 50 churches, mosques, and synagogues. They worked to support people with AIDS and their families. Williams became the leader of the National Clergy Advisory Committee for the Harlem Week of Prayer. He served in this role for 10 years. The Week of Prayer focused on reaching out to those affected by AIDS.

Building Affordable Homes

Dr. Williams also worked hard to create affordable housing and improve communities. In 1986, he co-founded the Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI) with Dr. Preston Washington. Williams also served as its chairman.

HCCI grew into a group of 90 churches. Together, they built almost 2,000 homes and 40 business spaces. This included one of the first large supermarkets in Harlem. Besides finding money and planning projects, HCCI also trained people in construction skills.

Supporting the Arts and Social Justice

Williams was a big supporter of local art groups. He helped the Boys Choir of Harlem by letting them use the Church of the Intercession. This was their first place to perform and practice.

Williams also led many efforts for social justice. He actively supported African freedom movements and worked against apartheid in South Africa.

In 1988, he co-founded the Religious Action Network (RAN) with Rev. Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker. RAN was part of the American Committee on Africa (ACOA), now called Africa Action. This was during the peak of the anti-apartheid fight in South Africa. Through his work, Williams became friends with Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. Bishop Tutu sometimes led services at the Church of the Intercession when he visited the U.S. RAN is a group of over 300 churches across the U.S. that continues to speak out on issues in Africa. They also work to influence U.S. policies toward African nations.

Death

Frederick Williams passed away on April 4, 2006, from a heart attack. He was survived by his godson and several cousins.

Legacy and Honors

• Williams was given an honorary title, Canon, for the cathedral in Gaborone, Botswana. This was for his strong support of African freedom movements.
• In 2003, the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts created a special award in his name. This award is for excellence in pastoral theology.
• In 2006, Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York spoke about Canon Williams's life. His words were recorded in The Congressional Record.