Saturday, January 2, 2016
I first met Chuck when as a volunteer lawyer for the Church Federation of Chicago. One of the sites for our legal clinics was Holy Family Lutheran church, a mission parish in the Cabrini-Green housing project of Chicago. Holy Family was then served by Reverend Fred Downing, now deceased. Chuck was an occasional officiant at Holy Family, where I transferred my church membership and my wife my wife ultimately became a member. She and I got to know Fred and Chuck well, and we treasured their friendship. Holy Family cooperated with nearby St. Joseph Church and Father Santo, then its priest, in joint summer school for underprivileged children (primarily African American or Hispanic).
Pastor Downing's efforts led to the founding of Holy Family Lutheran school (now Holy Family School after merger with St.Gregory's (Episcopal) School for boys, also primarily for African American children. Both Fred and Chuck left the Chicago, but Cindy and I maintained contact with them. They were committed Christians who served the poor and deprived. If Lutherans canonized saints, Fred and Chuck would make the cut.
