BPD’s Wheeler pays tribute to late pastor, community leader McSwain

Frank McSwain
Rev. Frank McSwain Sr., pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, died November 29. He was 64. (Mt. Pisgah Facebook page)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Saturday was declared Rev. Frank McSwain Sr. Remembrance Day in Bloomington, and at a service celebrating McSwain’s life, the city’s police chief praised the late pastor for his service to others.

Chief Clay Wheeler said McSwain and Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church on West Market Street have touched thousands of lives.

“If BPD called upon a community to help us try to provide a safe atmosphere for children, Rev. McSwain and Mt. Pisgah were there. If we needed services for a family in need, he would provide,” said Wheeler.

“Some of us choose to live a life in which we have a purpose greater than to our family or simply ourselves,” said Wheeler.

“He touched thousands of lives in this community, and we owe him our gratitude,” Wheeler added.

McSwain, 64, died November 29. Mayor Tari Renner is expected to read a proclamation in McSwain’s honor at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…