Cecil Williams, the beloved co-founder of Glide Memorial Church and its minister of liberation, died Monday, according to the church. He was 94.
Williams and his late wife Janice Mirikitani co-founded the church more than 60 years ago in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District. Together, the couple built a “nationally recognized center for social justice,” according to the church’s website. Today, Glide’s mission is to “break the cycles of poverty and marginalization,” but it is perhaps best known for its enormous Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
In a statement, the church described Williams as a “minister, author, social activist, lecturer, community leader and ceaseless champion for the poor and marginalized.” “With Reverend Cecil William’s passing,” the church said, “we have lost an incomparable champion of social justice, civil and human rights, and liberation theology.”
Memorial plans were still being arranged as of Monday night.
Mayor London Breed recalled Williams as the “conscience of our San Francisco community.” “He spoke out against injustice and he spoke for the marginalized,” Breed said in a statement posted to social media. “He led with compassion and wisdom, always putting the people first and never relenting in his pursuit of justice and equality. His kindness brought people together and his vision changed our city and the world.”
Breed said Williams also helped guide and support generations of the city’s leaders. “We would not be who we are as a city and a people without the legendary Cecil Williams,” she said.
In 2013, Williams and Mirikitani published a book about their journey titled “Beyond the Possible.” It told the story of Glide’s explosive growth from a dying church run on $35,000 per year to a $17 million community organization providing celebration services, housing, health care, support groups and 2,560 free meals per day.
The book was a difficult undertaking, the couple said at the time. “This book, we almost decided to get a divorce,” Williams said, half-joking. “It was just that difficult. This is a book that’s got tear drops on it.” Mirikitani countered, saying, “I would say the book is a love story. Not just between two people, but in a community where there is action, more than talking.”
