WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

To be the senior pastor of the same church for nearly half a century takes dedication, commitment and a love for what you do.  For Bishop Oscar Davis LeGrant of Progressive Apostolic Church, it has been an honor and a pleasure.

On Sunday, Nov. 27, Bishop Grant celebrated his 49th year as senior pastor of Progressive.  The church was packed in every pew.  There were friends and family visitors from all over, including members of the United Churches of Jesus Apostolic (UCJA).

LeGrant was born on Dec. 10, 1924 in Bennettsville, S.C.  He was called to the ministry in 1954 at Christ Temple Holiness Church as an associate minister under Bishop Eli Daniels.  In 1967 after the passing of Bishop Joseph Cotton, the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ sent Bishop LeGrant to Progressive, and he was installed as pas-tor in August 1967.

The service was heart-warming as many friends and family were able to get up and speak to the significance Bishop LeGrant has played in their lives. There were gifts given from a select few as well as a special tribute given to Bishop LeGrant’s late wife, Dessie Mae.

The choir sang, and the closing remarks from Bishop LeGrant were full of appreciation and thanks.

“It’s a blessing to be able to be in the ministry for this long,” said Bishop LeGrant. “It was beautiful to see everyone come out and celebrate 49 years of pastoring with me.”

At the soon to be age of 92, he was asked will he ever stop pastoring or preaching. His simple answer was “No.” He said he was placed on this earth to preach and pastor and will do so as long as his mind and body will allow him to do so.

Elsworth Leon LeGrant Jr., Bishop LeGrant’s grandson, said “It was a success, from the dinner on Saturday, which was held at the Ivory Arms, the facility of the local Winston-Salem Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter, to all the churches that participated. All of the local associated churches that came and represented down to all the members at Progressive made this all