Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts, leader of Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist Church, dies at 73

The influence of Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts was felt citywide as he advocated for his community and confronted some of the city's most powerful people. 

Butts used his pulpit to preach the word of God, but also literally to build a community, building affordable housing and new schools in Harlem. 

Fighting for racial justice, he became a political force to be reckoned with. But most important, he was always there for the people.

"We've been doing marvelous things socially, economically, politically and of course religiously spiritually," Butts said. 

He's done so much for so many, but in his heart, Butts was a preacher. To his flock - a leader - a tower of strength in times of trouble, and always a guiding light from the pulpit at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. 

His congregation, which spanned generations during his decades of tenure, knows just how blessed they were, and his friends say he was the master of the personal touch. 

"So many people stop me now in the streets and ask me how was Pastor Butts. It was the person that everyone thought was their personal pastor," said former Rep. Charles Rangel. 

Butts was born July 19, 1949. He graduated from Flushing High School before earning a degree at Morehouse. He joined the Abyssinian Baptist Church in 1972 as a youth minister. But it wasn't long before he would rise to pastor, with a message and mission of bringing hope and help, and also armed with the knowledge that God would always provide. 

"I'm a clergy person, and a minister. And as a minister, I'm called to serve. It's all I know how to do," Butts said. 

His reach far exceeded the pulpit. He was president emeritus of SUNY Old Westbury, and served in the Fordham University Graduate School of Education. And he was a political kingmaker of governors and mayors. 

"He was a dear friend and mentor," said Mayor Eric Adams. 

Adams said Butts was much more than a spiritual leader. 

"Speaking with him recently as we dealt with the issues around the migrant crises and other crises, he has been a constant, a leader. And so the city lost a real giant," Adams said. 

In recent years his sermon looked different due to COVID lockdowns, and the reverend adjusted. 

"Well, it's a little difficult. You know, I'm from that call and response tradition. We want to hear somebody say 'amen' or say 'talk' or something," Butts said. "Even when I look out into an empty sanctuary, if the spirit comes then I can present the word of God." 

In the twilight of his light, and fighting his final battle, Butts always showed up in the place where his words mattered most, exhorting his flock. 

Calvin Butts died of pancreatic cancer. He was 73 years old.

To be in his presence, you always knew were with a very special man. A city will miss him.

Former New York Gov. David Paterson discussed Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts' legacy. 

Butts was "one who could speak for those who didn't have a voice," Paterson said. 

"This was a man who really put his faith and his vision based on how he could get results," Paterson said. "Sometimes it was fighting the system. Sometimes it was working with the system." 

Memorial messages are pouring out from those who worked on social justice issues alongside Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts.

As CBS2's Jessi Mitchell reports, church leaders were preparing a 50th anniversary celebration for Butts in the coming weeks. Now those plans are shifting as they prepare to remember his legacy. 

A larger than life figure, Butts made his mark by looking after the little guy. 

Former borough president and church member C. Virginia Fields developed a close relationship with her pastor. 

"It's overwhelming, quite frankly. But then I began to reflect on his life. He accomplished so much," Fields said. 

Fields first met Butts when she moved to Harlem in the 1980s. The impact was instant. 

"His activism just propelled, and I said 'Oh, I like this guy,'" Fields said. 

He helped her campaign through the caring they shared. 

"He has filled a number of spaces in my personal life and my political life, the life of this community. With our schools and public housing, and social justice issues, Reverend Butts is right there, so he'll be truly missed," Fields said.

Roz Beauty Davis found her church home at Abyssinian 18 years ago after encountering Butts.

"I came one Sunday, like, stumbled in, and it was like, oh my god, who is this man? And that was it. I was hooked," she said.

Butts' preaching inspired his longtime friend Congressman Charles Rangel.

"His love and affection and support went far beyond Abyssinian Church. He was a community leader. He was articulate. He was the president of State University. He was a political advisor. He was a personal friend, and he's gonna seriously be missed," Rangel said.

Not everyone in the community agreed on his stances through the decades. Rev. Al Sharpton admits he often butted heads with Butts over politics, but they reconciled their relationship in recent years to take on on COVID in the community together. 

"After a while, you'd say you know what, I may not agree with him on certain things, but I have to respect this guy. He's one of a kind," Sharpton said. 

His many causes will continue now in the care of those his life touched. 

"Sometimes I feel like stopping but I can't. He never stopped, even during his times of illness. He never stopped, so we don't have a choice. We have to keep going," Fields said.

The worth of his work won't diminish in his absence.

"The legacy that he has left for us, that's where the good feelings come," Fields said.

The loss of his leadership leaves behind a vast space to fill. 

Abyssinian had planned to commemorate Butts' 50th year leading the congregation in just a few weeks. Those plans must now shift to commemorate his memory.

The church will get through this period of mourning before looking to appoint a new leader.

As CBS2's Elijah Westbrook reported, it's easy to understand the impact of Rev. Butts as you hear from so many people who loved and appreciated him. 

He was a staple of the historic church for more than three decades. In fact, they were just getting ready to celebrate the milestone in a few weeks. 

There was something about his voice that people will tell you about. 

"Rev. Butts was an outstanding preacher, minister. He cared about his parishioners," church member Cylinda Bruno told Westbrook. 

Rev. Butts was born in Bridgeport, Conn. before his family moved to Queens, where he graduated from Flushing High School in 1967, then earned a degree at Morehouse. 

He joined Abyssinian as a youth minister back in 1972, and truly became a trusted faith leader among politicians and the public. 

"I've had the honor of meeting him and attending the service here at the church, and we live on the block, we're neighbors," Harlem resident Michael Israels said. 

Rev. Butts became pastor in 1989, continuing Abyssinian's mission -- everything from feeding the poor to building affordable housing and new schools in Harlem. 

"We've been doing marvelous things socially, politically, economically, and of course, religiously, spiritually," he told CBS2's Dana Tyler in a 2008 interview. 

Best believe, he knew or established a relationship with almost every prominent figure, not only in New York but across the country. 

In a statement, Rev. Al Sharpton said, "Rev. Butts was a major pillar in the Harlem community and is irreplaceable... He will be tremendously missed."

Rev. Butts was also known as president emeritus of SUNY Old Westbury and served in the Fordham University Graduate School of Education as a distinguished visiting professor. 

It was an emotional and somber morning in front of the church, as parishioners and others slowly found out about the news of his passing. 

Westbrook added on a personal note, he was christened by Rev. Butts when he was a child back in the early 1990s. 

Rev. Butts leaves behind three children and six grandchildren. 

CBS2's Elijah Westbrook reports from outside the Abyssinian Baptist Church, where Butts led the congregation for decades.

Westbrook himself was christened by the reverend in 1995.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts III," the governor tweeted. "Rev. Butts embodied true spiritual leadership - with a commitment to faith, community, & mentorship that I was honored to witness in our work together. My heart is with his family in this difficult time."

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo released the following statement on the passing of Rev. Butts: 

Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III was a man of God, an academic committed to shepherding the next generation of New York leaders, a humanitarian devoted to improving the lives of his fellow man, and also a friend. 

As pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church, he welcomed me many times into his house with open arms, and as president of SUNY Old Westbury, we worked together to strengthen and rebuild its campus. 

Most importantly, he was a man of substance and of values to whom the term 'public service' doesn't begin to describe the impact he had on this city and this state. 

I will always value his counsel and his friendship to me, as well as my father, over the last 40 years and greatly mourn his passing. My thoughts are with Mrs. Butts, his family, his congregation, and the many New Yorkers mourning him during this difficult time.

Rev. Al Sharpton issued the following statement on the passing of Rev. Butts: 

Rev. Butts was a major pillar in the Harlem community and is irreplaceable. He was a dominant faith and academic leader for decades. We knew each other for more than 40 years, and while we did not always agree we always came back together. Over the last three years, he and I worked closely as co-chairs of the Choose Healthy Life national campaign to help the Black community fight COVID. We spoke as late as a couple of weeks ago about this work, as he was still fighting cancer. He will be tremendously missed.

The church tweeted about Butts' passing, saying, "It is with profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, lll, who peacefully transitioned in the early morning of October 28, 2022. The Butts Family & entire Abyssinian Baptist Church membership solicit your prayers."