Pilgrimage in Clay Feet (ePub)

all-white public schools.

The Phyllis Wheatley YWCA became Zion's church home for seven years and it was here that Dr. Veazey met Dr. Edwards in 1959 as an intern to fulfill the requirements for his Bachelor of Divinity degree. Rev. Edwards was one of the most pivotal persons in his internship at Zion which was definitely providential as many of the decisions were leading to this church. As assistant to Rev. Edwards, he was assigned to assist the superintendent of Sunday school, Miss Keturah Barnes who was definitely an important and pivotal person in his life as he entered another phase of his spiritual development. Miss Barnes introduced him to many of the leaders of the church along with many young leaders in Zion.

In September 1959, Dr. Edwards began plans for the ground breaking for the new church located at 4850 Blagden Avenue, N.W. that was to take place after the morning communion service held on the fourth Sunday in September. Dr. Veazey had also been appointed by Dr. Evans Crawford, dean of the Andrew Rankin Chapel, to serve as his student assistant. His responsibility to the dean was to take the guest speakers to breakfast and afterward to the chapel where he would prepare robes for both the dean and the guest speakers. This still allowed him time to fulfill his internship on Sunday which was to teach a teenage Sunday school class and asset the pastor at the eleven o'clock services.

On the fourth Sunday in September at approximately nine o'clock, Rev. Edwards stopped at the People's Drug Store to get an antacid because of his heart condition. The clerk in the store reported that before he could take the pill he fell and after the EMTs arrival, was pronounced deceased at the store. Dr. Veazey was sent by Dr. Crawford to the YWCA to provide spiritual support and subsequently became interim minister. This eventually led to him becoming pastor which was totally unexpected by him.

Dr. Veazey pastored Zion for thirty three years that included continuing to follow Rev. Edwards in building the new edifice on Blagden Avenue. This was truly a challenge at the age of twenty three. Dean Crawford, his mentor and friend, guided him through those years which ended with the erection of the church on Blagden, the first historic church built in many years. After a very effective ministry for thirty three years, dissent in the church arose and after a church meeting in August 1992, he was dismissed by a contested vote of which he would not allow a recount. In 1994, Dr. Veazey founded and pastored Fellowship Baptist Church. Seventeen years after leaving Zion he was invited back to preach which he accepted along with church members at Fellowship.

During his career Dr. Veazey received many honors and awards including: appointment to the D.C. City Council by president Richard M. Nixon in 1960-1964; selection as President of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) in 1996-2011; the Gloria Steinim award by the Ms. Foundation; the Voters for Choice award by Gloria Steinim Foundation; being the first man honored by Women's Enews for his work as president of RCRC; and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Meadville Lombard Theological Seminary associated with the University of Chicago.