THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 2, 1996 TAG: 9608020453
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Diane Tennant
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 72 lines
The Rev. Jesse Jackson will give the keynote address Saturday at the grand opening of Garden of Prayer Temple, a 1,750-seat church headed by Bishop Levi E. Willis Sr.
The $3 million facility, when completed, will feature a swimming pool, tennis courts and basketball court to be used in a program for 500 children, Willis said.
The temple is affiliated with the Church of God in Christ, which has more than 4 million members nationwide. Willis, one of a dozen bishops who sit on the national board of the denomination, oversees 70 churches in Virginia.
The church has been under construction for about two years. The semicircular sanctuary features balconies and sound rooms with natural lighting. A large statue of Jesus kneels before the front doors.
But the parking lot is not yet paved and the pews were not delivered on time. Earlier this week, workers were scrambling to bring in 2,000 folding chairs, lay carpet, finish a large mural and install ceilings. Construction of the recreational facilities, Willis said, has been delayed by rain.
Jackson will help with the ribbon-cutting because of his long association with Willis. The bishop, a former 2nd District Democratic chairman, organized a local branch of Jackson's Rainbow Coalition and has helped with his political campaigns.
Willis has long been a power in the African-American community, although several key politicians publicly split from him in May 1995 when his son, Levi E. Willis II, campaigned unsuccessfully for the state House of Delegates against Del. Jerrauld C. Jones.
The bishop also has had financial and legal difficulties stemming from his radio empire.
In 1992, he was convicted of a felony in federal courts for mishandling a loan repayment. Willis Broadcasting Corp. has lost a string of court cases involving tens of thousands of dollars in debts to individuals and companies and unpaid state and federal taxes.
But the bishop still wields power, as evidenced by Jackson's appearance.
Events on Saturday will begin with a 10 a.m. motorcade from the existing church at 812 Washington St., Portsmouth, to the new temple at the corner of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Church Street in Norfolk. The ribbon-cutting will be at 11 a.m., followed by Jackson's address. All events are open to the public.
Jackson was also scheduled to do a radio interview with Willis at 6 a.m. Thursday on two stations owned by the bishop's family.
The new facility is double the size of the Portsmouth church and will allow the congregation to expand its ministry, the bishop said.
``One of the things we're going to do, that I'm extremely proud of, is we're going to put in a playground,'' Willis said.
``We feel there is a need to get involved in the community other than a worship service. We're going to try to have a church for our youth as well as for adults.''
On Saturdays, he said, the church will show movies, followed by an hour of teaching, then lunch and play time. Field trips will be taken each quarter, he said.
``It is something we've always wanted to do,'' Willis said. ``Our goal is 500. That's a lot of kids. I don't think we'll have any problem getting them.'' ILLUSTRATION: JIM WALKER\The Virginian-Pilot
The temple, led by Bishop Levi E. Willis Sr., has been under
construction for two years. Ceremonies are Saturday.
Color photo
Jesse L. Jackson
KEYWORDS: CHURCH DEDICATION
by CNB