Rev. Dr. Agnes Alston
August 31, 1919 – October 17, 2016
Life is but a stopping place, a pause in what’s to be. A resting place along the road, to sweet eternity. –Unknown
During her brief stay into time from eternity, Almighty God entrusted the childhood of Rev. Dr. Agnes Margaret Alston to her grandmother in Norfolk, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Mary Helen Louise Scott. Her life would continue in the city of Baltimore–where she would continue her education through the Baltimore City Public School System.
Upon graduating high school from the historic Frederick Douglass High School, Dr. Alston would matriculate into several universities and colleges. She received her Associates degree from Queens College (NY), her first Bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University (MD), her second Bachelors from Wilberforce University (OH), first Masters from Allen University (SC), second Masters from Johns Hopkins University (MD), and her doctorate from Allen University. She has received an innumerable amount of citations, honorary doctorates, honors, and awards; but her greatest award of all these was the gift of salvation from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. –Acts. 1:8 KJV
At the tender age of nine, Rev. Alston accepted Jesus Christ as her Personal Savior at the Leadenhall Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD. At the age of fourteen, she received and accepted the call from Christ to “Use what you have!” on her way to the local bakery on Laurens Street. Because the Baptist Church did not accept women as preachers of the Word of God, she transferred her membership to Gillis Memorial Methodist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Theodore C. Jackson, Sr. It is at Gillis Memorial where her ministry would begin to flourish. She would be recognized as a member and received as a preacher, a teacher, an icon, and a cornerstone of this historical and great church for the rest of her life. Faithfully and diligently, she served Gillis Memorial in these many roles for 83 years.
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. –2 Timothy 4:2 KJV
As a preacher and teacher of the Word of God, Rev. Alston was a pioneer. For countless years, she spearheaded efforts to create more opportunities for female preachers to spread the Word of God. Many of her initial opportunities would come from Rev. Theodore Jackson Sr.’s connections to other pastors who would allow her to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in their churches. Often, she would be called to preach the word for Women’s Day services. As her ministry flourished, so did the opportunities for her to preach.
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. –Matthew 20:26 KJV
Rev. Alston was the founder of the Interdenominational Women’s Ministerial Alliance. Rev. Alston was a faithful and dedicated servant in the United Council of Christian Community Churches of Maryland and Vicinity. She compiled the booklet, “Doctrines of the United Council of Christian Community Churches of Maryland and Vicinity.” Upon her appointment in 1992, Dr. Alston served as the Council’s necrologist for many years. She served 20 years as the Director of Christian Education for the Council. When asked by the Rev. Sidney Daniels to be Director of the Associate Ministers Council, Dr. Alston attended the responsibly, and went to Wayne Theological Seminary to train in Chicago, Illinois for six weeks. Upon completion of her training, Dr. Alston began her work to enhance the ministry of the Associate Ministers Council in the early 1980s through teaching effective preaching, workshops, seminars and providing preaching opportunities for new ministers. Dr. Alston attended every session of the Annual Holy Convocation (49) up until 2013 when her health prevented her from attending. Faithfully, she served under twelve presidents in the United Council of Christian Community Churches. She served for ten (10) years as Director of Christian Education for the National Council, and served in the same capacity for twenty (20) years for the United Council.
On Thanksgiving Day of 1936, Rev. Alston preached her initial sermon at the, then, Gillis Memorial Methodist Church. She would commemorate this honor every year after. It became a staple in the city of Baltimore. She would often serve food to the hungry and/or the homeless – saying “… I’m not called to the pulpit. I’m called to people.”
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. –James 1:5 KJV
As a spiritual advisor, Rev. Alston faithfully served in Gillis as the Spiritual Advisor to many of the ministries at Gillis Memorial. These ministries included: the Senior Male and Female Usher Ministry, Golden Age Ministry, the Friendly Group, the Greeters Ministry, the Annual Homecoming Service, the Ministerial Staff, the Busy Bees Ministry, the Dr. Jackson Circle, God’s Reach Out Ministry, the Trustee Ministry, the South Carolina Christian Ministry, and the Inspirational Choir.
These things, command and teach. –1 Timothy 4:11 KJV
As an educator, Rev. Alston taught in the secondary division of the Baltimore City Public School System for 31 years. In 1982, she retired from the system as a guidance counselor. She returned to the system as a retired educator in 1996 as a counselor in the Crisis Intervention Center at Liberty Elementary School where she continuously touched and changed the lives of people – one child, one adult, one family, and one community at a time. In 2003, she decided to retire from the school year once again.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. –2 Timothy 4:8 KJV
Rev. Alston taught, preached, evangelized, and sang under the unction of the Holy Spirit until her physical ailments would render her immobile. She was a faithful servant of the Most High God. After a lengthy illness, peacefully and gracefully, the Lord took Rev. Alston out of this world to her eternal rest on Sunday, October 16, 2016. God, in His Infinite Wisdom, saw fit to take her from labor to reward. The soul of our beloved mentor, teacher, friend, and mother figure is resting until we are called from this world to our heavenly home. Many were touched by her teachings, her mentoring, and her ministry. Her sage of wisdom have been heard by many.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. –John 14:27 KJV
Rev. Alston leaves to cherish her love and ministry: her daughter, Carla Nixon; her second cousin, Evelyn Zollicoffer; her godchildren, Dr. Constance Johnson, Delores Smith, Diane Adams, Gregory Shelton, Jocelyn (Jay) Jacobs and Kirsten Russell; a loving, committed, and devoted goddaughter, Rev. Helen B. Mayo and godson, James Mayo III; and the Gillis Family and friends and the Body of Christ.
“As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” –Psalm 42:1 KJV
A Tribute of Gratitude
FROM REV. DR. AGNES MARGARET ALSTON
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” –1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
I believe that if Agnes Margaret Alston could speak she would say:
Thank you to the Gillis family and friends, Deacons and Deaconess Ministry, Christian Training Union, and Gillis choirs for faithfully sending her cards to encourage her.
Thank you Helen, Timothy, Sharon, Vivian and James for loving and blessing me to be the matriarch of your family for 31 years. Thank you all for the wonderful times we had together for birthday celebrations, Christmas, graduations.
Thank you Marlene Jackson for our friendship and the hours we shared together eating McDonald’s sandwiches in Gillis’ classroom and talking about the goodness of Jesus.
Thank you Deacon Benjamin Jones, Patricia Brooks, Rev. Juanita Maye, Loretta Cunningham, Connie Holbert, James and Sharon Hopkins for consistently visiting and feeding me, and staying late to keep me company.
Thank you to every individual who visited me at the nursing home and had prayer with me especially Dr. Melvin Jackson, Rev. Alice James and Elder Gloria Davis.
Thank you to everyone who helped and supported me during my stay in my apartment.
Thank you Jannie and Cece Beasley for taking me into your home and the care you provided.
Thank you Clarence Knox, Bro. Robert Taylor, Devone Marshall and the Men of Gillis who helped to transport me whenever I came to church.
Thank you Gillis family and friends and God’s children for celebrating my 96th and 97th birthday with me. I was truly blessed.
I love you Gillis.
I love you Helen. Thank you for all your sacrifices that you made to care for me in my old age. For over 29 years you blessed and unselfishly helped take care of me.
