About
History
Clark-Grace UCC, a cozy neighborhood church located in the first ring suburb of South St. Paul, is an Open and Affirming faith community. We welcome people of all ages, sexual orientations, races, and abilities. We welcome the curious who ask questions about their faith and we welcome the those who wish to strengthen a wobbly faith or challenge a complacent faith. Our pastor is Rev. Oliver White.
Reverend Oliver White
Pastor Oliver grew up in Michigan, where he was the church organist for Arethra Franklin's church choir and also played piano for Motown artists. However, when he went to college in Texas, he, as a black man, was not allowed to stay in the dorms with the white students.
Pastor Oliver has long stood for justice. He met Dr. Martin Luther King during the Freedom March in Detroit in 1963 and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 1989 in South Africa. He was the first black United Church of Christ minister in Minnesota and led the St. Paul black ministerial alliance from 1987-1992.
He stood up for gay marriage before the constitutional amendment vote and standing up for what was right cost him dearly both personally and professionally. This stance also led the Atlantic Magazine to list Pastor Oliver as one of the “Ten Bravest Thinkers in the World” in 2012.
Who is Clark-Grace?
In September 2016, Clark-Grace United Church of Christ (UCC) celebrated our 3rd Anniversary. As a congregational, Open and Affirming Church, All of the people in our church, under the leadership of Rev. Oliver White, are involved in continuing conversations as we discern our way forward as a united faith community.
Clark-Grace was formed as a joining of two churches that had predominantly black and white congregations to create a wonderful community that welcomes persons of any color or ethnicity to celebrate together.
Clark Memorial UCC, the first Open and Affirming church in South St. Paul, gathered for worship in May 1887 at the Clark and Company store. In October they dedicated their first church building, South Park Community Church. Clark Memorial celebrated their 125th Anniversary in October 2012.
Grace Community UCC, an Open and Affirming church, is the first African-American United Church of Christ congregation in Minnesota. They formed in St. Paul in 1990 under the leadership of Rev. Oliver White. Grace Community celebrated their 25th Anniversary in 2015.
Important Milestones through the years:
2015 In May, we awarded our 2nd educational scholarship, $2,000.00 this time, to a South St. Paul High school graduate.
On a Saturday morning in February, we met to create the following joint mission statement:
We are a faith-based, progressive community with historical roots that provides: education, teaching, mentoring and community service throughout the Kingdom of God.
2014 Saw the retirement of two of Clark's long-term members from their ministry. Ralph Swanson, after 30 years as Choir and Music Director, and Roy Swanson, after 30 plus years of serving on the finance team, both retired from their posts in December.
In May, we awarded our 1st scholarship of $1,000.00 at the South St. Paul Educational Foundation Award Banquet, to a graduating South St. Paul High School student.
2013 In September, Grace Community United Church of Christ began to worship with Clark Memorial United Church of Christ at 779 15th Ave. North in South St. Paul. We began our relationship with a joint potluck on a Wednesday evening in August.
In August, Cari Vujovich, of South St. Paul Educational Foundation, spoke during Sunday and gathered enough donations, matched by church funds, to create a scholarship for a South St. Paul High School student.
2012 Restorative Justice moved their office space into the Church's building at 779 15th Ave. N.
We supported Minnesotans United for All Families against the Marriage Amendment that sought to restrict marriage to heterosexual couples. We planted our first annual "Giving Gardens," little vegetable gardens next to our parking lot to provide fresh vegetables for Neighbors, Inc of South St. Paul.
2010 The need for Clark Memorial UCC to update the parking lot inspired the Green Team to put in a rain garden at the low end of our parking lot and a native garden in our boulevard.
2004 Clark Memorial UCC became the first Open and Affirming Congregation in South St. Paul welcoming all people regardless of race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
2001 Clark Memorial UCC supported and became part of the United Church of Christ “God is still speaking” movement.
1992 Clark Memorial UCC added the elevator addition and courtyard off of Bryant Avenue.
1962 The church name was changed after members voted to become a part of the United Church of Christ (UCC).
1959 The Sunday School and office wing was added.
1934 and 1947 The church was partially destroyed by fire, but it was rebuilt both times, being enlarged after the 1947 fire.
1931 The church name was changed to Clark Memorial Church, honoring C.W. Clark who donated land for the church building.
1922 The congregation built a new and larger church.
1888 Our congregation was officially recognized by the St. Paul Area Congregational Churches after an increase in the numbers attending worship and Sunday school.
1887 In May, a small group of men, women, and children met in the Clark and Company store for worship. In October, they dedicated their first church building and named themselves South Park Community Church.