Reverend B. Herbert Martin Sr. was Mayor Harold Washington’s pastor. And he is still Dorothy Tillman’s. But things have been a little dull for the pastor since Mayor Washington died–that is, until glasnost kindled Reverend Martin’s interest in the international political scene. So on Sunday, as Mikhail and Raisa visited farmers in Minnesota, Nikita and Oksana visited the Progressive Community Church at 48th and Wabash.
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The members of the Russian theater group have visited many points of interest in Chicago: Sears Tower, Lincoln Park Zoo, ethnic neighborhoods, private homes, and a Dominick’s, where the women of Spartacus Square were less interested in a tour of the frozen-food department than they were in the seemingly limitless brands of hair spray. (Despite whispered advice to buy it at a nearby discount store, they took no chances. Once the spray was discovered, they wouldn’t let go–it was to be theirs at any price.)
The Russians were seated in the middle of the regular congregants, many of whom were dressed in flowing white gowns or starched white tailored suits. After the choir’s processional, Moysina enthusiastically joined in the singing of the hymn “Oh, How I Love Jesus.” Someone who was trying to be helpful handed her a hymnbook, but her English is not good. She put it down in favor of clapping heartily to the beat while she swayed. Just like the parishioners.
“As President Bush sits with the key leader of the Soviet Union, we have Soviet citizens in our house of prayer. Love converts the heart–not nuclear disarmament,” said Martin. “People have to come together–not just the leaders. And I can’t think of a better place to come together than 56 E. 48th Street in Chicago.”
The tithing box was placed in front of the congregation, and row by row the congregants came up front and put little white envelopes of cash in. The Russians too dropped in a few bucks.
As Doug Lyons started the car he said visits such as theirs make a deep impression on the members of his church. “At first there is cultural shock, but then the spirit of God is easily understood.”
