REV. GORDON FRANCIS AND REV. LILY FRANCIS
My name is Lily Agatha Francis, widow of Reverend Gordon Francis. We have one daughter, Florence Harriet Elizabeth. Her name was inspired by a book I read about 12 wonderful women. When my daughter was born, the midwife said, “What are you going to name this child?” I replied, Florence from Florence Nightingale (nurse), Harriet from Harriet Tubman (Underground Railroad conductor) and also Harriet Beecher Stowe (author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin), and Elizabeth after Elizabeth Fry (she worked with women and helped them due to the suffering they faced in those days).
Reverend Gordon Francis was the founder of the Pilgrim Methodist Church located in Toronto. The church provided a place of worship for new immigrants and the community. He was very involved in community work. In the 1960s he spoke with the CEO of General Motors requesting that the company expand their hiring to Blacks in the community. In 1963-1964, he broadcasted morning devotionals on CKTB radio in St. Catharines. He also had a radio ministry which broadcasted from a Chatham radio station and Sunday broadcasts in Windsor.
Reverend Lily Francis was born March1925 in British Guiana. Lily began her teaching career at age 15 at Success Canadian Mission in Leguan which was a Presbyterian school. She continued teaching at St. Laurence’s Anglican School, before migrating to Canada at Campbellville Government school in 1956. Lily ended her career in a local government elementary school.
Before immigrating to Canada, she assisted with pastoral duties and teaching Sunday school with Rev. Gordon Francis, who she married. Lily had many other roles as Sunday school teacher, pianist and organist. Rev. Markham made Lily the general superintendent for the Sunday School at Christ Church.
Lily shared memories of early days of the Church First Baptist, which was the first Black Church in Toronto. It was led by Rev. Arthur Cariss, from Collingwood. I was ordained by Rev. Blackwood, Rev. Kofi, Rev. Harry Chan. Did you know Addie Aylestock? Of course – she was from Chatham
In 1963, Rev. Francis immigrated to Canada from British Guiana to continue his religious studies at Jarvis Baptist Seminary. Bishop A.S. Markham of the British Methodist Churches appointed Rev. Francis the pastor in charge of three Black churches: Bertie Hall Chapel In Fort Erie, The Nathaniel Dett Chapel in Niagara Falls and The Salem Chapel in St. Catharines. In the 1960s Rev. Francis spoke to the dean of Windsor University to encourage the university to accept Blacks as undergraduate students. In 1963, Rev. Francis was the chairman of the Human Rights Committee treasurer of the St. Catharines Ministerial Association. Rev. Francis was on the Ministerial Advisory Board for Brock University when it was first being established. Actively involved with the YMCA, he promoted opportunities for Black youth within the community. He had speaking engagements with the Kiwanis, the Rotary and Lion’s Club.
I remember the Annual Conference for the Ladies League and Gordon was the only male member to be granted a Life Long Membership in 100 years with the Toronto Area Council of Woman and the Women’s Temperance Union. Rev. Francis was also involved with officiating the dedication of a plaque in honour of the 100-year anniversary death of Anthony Burns (slave/preacher). Lily was also very active in her community and was the treasurer of both the Ontario and area Council of Woman and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.
It was a pleasure to visit Lily’s family home, listen to her stories she wishes us well… I would like to say, God be with you till we meet again, (Lily starts to sing) God be the tides that bind…
*The Life And Times Of The Rt. Rev.Dr.Gordon Harry Francis. A Pilgrim’s Journey by Israelin Shockness.