Commissioned by
Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, American, founded 1950
Used by
Reverend Evans, Clay, American, 1925 - 2019
Date
1973
Medium
wood with cloth, chrome, and electrical wiring
Dimensions
H x W x D (pulpit): 50 × 59 1/2 × 26 in. (127 × 151.1 × 66 cm)
Caption
Reverend Dr. Clay Evans (June 23, 1925- November 27, 2019) was a prominent civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and gospel singer. Born in Brownsville, Tennessee, Dr. Evans utilized his platform on countless occasions to address sociopolitical issues of the times. His connection to addressing community issues while having a deep passion for musical ministry connected him to millions of Americans worldwide. This lectern was in use during the time he served as the founding pastor at the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois.
Description
This is a wooden lectern originally used by Reverend Clay Evans. It has three sides, two that face the audience and the third that the speaker stands behind. The two audience-facing sides are solid panels of dark wood. Near the top edge of each of these two panels is text carved into the wood and painted with gold paint. The text reads from left-hand panel to right [“IT IS NO SECRET / WHAT GOD CAN DO.] The two panels do not reach all the way to the floor. Instead, there are an additional two smaller lengths of the same polished dark wood that form a triangular-shaped base for the main body of the lectern to rest on. The third side of the lectern is open and has four shelves of various heights. The top shelf forms the desk on which to rest papers during a speech. This top surface is covered by blue fabric. Just under the lip of this top surface on the right-hand side are two metal switch plates. Two thick rubber covered wires emerge from under the lectern on the right-hand side.
Place used
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Sacred and Ceremonial Objects
Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Type
lecterns
Topic
Baptist
Civil rights
Communities
Gospel (Music)
Preaching
Religion
Singers (Musicians)
Social reform
The Black Church
Urban life
Worship services
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Rev. Clay Evans
Object number
2021.109.1
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c41d22b0-2441-456c-a605-ce10a7cb9378

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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