In Her Own Words:
“I’m Going to Be Somebody” By Reverend Dr. Hattie L. Downer
‘As a child, I was exuberant with the success of selling small sweet potato pies to help pay the rent. It was not just the financial gain that caught and held my attention. I watched the men and women, noticing the sadness in their eyes, sunken in faces drawn by anxiety. Their clothes were patched and their jackets they wore were too thin to keep the cold wind out. I longed to help them, although I did not know how except to smile as I offered the little pies. There was one man who dressed in nice clean clothes. Usually, the man carried a briefcase and had on a warm suit with a tie. I saw hope in his face and I was sure he had a job that paid well. I was drawn to these people who seemed successful, and a strong desire to be like them was born in my heart. I decided that when I grew up, I would have a good job that paid well so I could wear nice clothes. I thought, “I’M GOING TO BE SOMEBODY! Then, I won’t have to wear my sister’s outgrown clothes. I won’t have to sweep those stairs or clean ashes from the furnace. I won’t have to freeze my hands and feet by shoveling this snow. I will share my money with the folks who need it.” I did not know it then, but God was awakening within me the compassion I would need to do the work He would call me to do. Brother Yearwood was right when he said, “God will use you to bless others in the years to come.” Indeed, God has blessed me with good jobs (working for Christ is the best job), wear nice clothes, own homes, and have lots of money. I have traveled all around the country and world. In 1987, I went to Japan and Hong Kong for the World Conference of the Church of God that was in Seoul, Korea. In 1991, I toured Switzerland, Austria and Italy for the World Conference in Germany. Several years ago, a building was given to me from God - for His service and Him alone. Many souls have been blessed, saved, and helped in what God gave to the body of Christ. It was given to help pastors and others do the Lord’s work and the Lord’s hands have been and are still on this building (referring to Williamsburg Church of God, located at 43 George Street, Brooklyn, NY presently named Cathedral of Joy Church of God, Inc.). I want to thank Pastor Norma K. Canty, and others, for giving me a book to continue to inspire others as I was inspired by my father, who loved to read. I thank you for giving me my flowers while I can smell them and see your faces. I would like to be remembered as one dedicated and committed to the arduous work of building God’s kingdom through the Church of God, alongside others who have moved on as being devoted servants of the Lord.’
Order of Service
Reverend Dr. Arthur W. Davenport, Officiate Senior Pastor, First Church of God, Far Rockaway, New York Musical Prelude................................................................................................................. Processional............................................................ The Clergy Officials & The Family Opening Hymn.............................................................................. “Blessed Assurance” Scripture Reading Old Testament, Proverbs 3:1-6................................................... Reverend Jason Sylva First Church of God, Jamaica, NY New Testament, I Thessalonians 4:13-18......................Reverend Ruth Sellers-Ward Mission Church of God, Liberty, NY Prayer of Comfort............................................................ Reverend Clifton McDowell Senior Pastor - Church of God of East New York, Brooklyn, NY Songs of Praise................................................................................................................... Tributes and Reflections.................................................................. (2 Minutes Please) Hymn of Faith.....................................................................................“On To The Goal” Acknowledgments............................................................................................................. Reading of Obituary........................................................................ Minister Julio Díaz Selection............................................................................................................................. Eulogy.....................................................................................Reverend Benny Santiago Sherman Street Church of God, Anderson, IN Special Remarks..................................................................Reverend Norma K. Canty Senior Pastor, Cathedral of Joy Church of God, Brooklyn, NY Final Viewing..................................................................................................................... Recessional.............................................................. The Clergy Officials & The Family Benediction........................................................................................................................ Final Service: Saturday, April 8, 2017 - 9:00AM to 10:00AM Church of God of East New York, Brooklyn, NY Interment: Rockville Cemetery 45 Merrick Road, Lynbrook, NY 11563
“The Pilgrimage of a Pioneer” Rev. Dr. Hattie L. Downer, affectionately known as “Sister Hattie”, was the sixth of eight children born in Columbia, South Carolina on September 21, 1914 to Early and Ivory (Smith) Downer. Both of her parents were first generation Church of God members, so she was raised in the church. Her father was instrumental in teaching her about God and at a very early age she gave her heart to Christ, loved the Bible, and was eager to learn. In 1928, the Downer’s moved to Brooklyn, New York where Sister Hattie continued her education at P.S. 3, Girls High School, and attended Brooklyn College. While working in a government job in Chicago, she was asked to be the National Youth Field Worker for the Church of God. This assignment entailed traveling throughout the Eastern Seaboard, the South and the Midwest, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Kansas City, and other cities across the nation. The Board of Church Extension and Home Missions Board in Indiana asked her to do some work for them, teaching Vacation Bible School and working with local leaders in several cities. Sister Hattie taught and served as a role model for young people everywhere she traveled. She was also given the task of helping to raise funds for a well and supervising the concession stand at West Middlesex, Pennsylvania. She later became the Home Missionary for Brooklyn, New York. In 1955, Sister Hattie was ordained and after her mother’s death, she continued the mission work her mother had started. She became a fixture in the Bushwick and Williamsburg neighborhoods as she labored and visited homes helping mothers cook, clean and get their children ready for public school and Sunday School. She also started serving breakfasts to children, long before the public school implemented it. Along with her responsibilities with the work in Brooklyn, Sister Hattie continued her mission work abroad, traveling to help other leaders. .
On June 16, 1974, through her dedicated service, relentless faith, and trusting God, her prayers were answered. God gave her a larger building at 43 George Street, where the congregation worships today - an extension of her humanitarian outreach to all who needed help. Many souls have been saved and ministered to during the last 50 years. Her pioneering spirit and unrelenting dedication, particularly with children, birthed an Urban Outreach Program in 1975. This program continues today under the name of Compassion House Community Development Corporation. Sister Hattie carried on the work of the church with the help of several ministers and lay persons. Many of those workers are still serving the Lord as pastors, teachers, and evangelists. In 1987, Anderson College presented Sister Hattie with an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity, recognizing her pilgrimage as one who made the Church of God Reformation Movement what it is today, having served a wide range of desperate human needs with innovation, courage and perseverance. By the grace of God and under her leadership, The Cathedral of Joy Church of God, Inc. (formerly Williamsburg Church of God) became a redemptive haven for the powerless, hopeless, and homeless and continues to operate as a ministry center for Anderson University students, as well as others involved in urban mission assignments. Upon retiring in 1985, Sister Hattie served as Pastor Emeritus of the Cathedral of Joy Church of God, Inc., giving guidance and insight to her mentee and successor, Rev. Norma K. Canty. She was internationally known throughout the Churches of God and has become a legend to many Church of God members, as well as to those who have never met her in person. Though officially “retired�, she never missed a chance to reach out to people of all ages and diverse backgrounds. When asked why she never married or had children, she stated that she was too dedicated to the work of the Lord to get married and never wanted children of her own because every child was her child. She loved all children as her own and loved teaching them how to live for Jesus. Sis. Hattie was beloved and cared for by her pastor, Reverend Norma K. Canty and will be missed by her local congregation, The Cathedral of Joy, Inc. (Rev. Norma K. Canty, Senior Pastor), a host of nieces and nephews, spiritual grandchildren along with various spiritual sons and daughters in the faith as well as friends and church family extending to every corner of the world.
On To the Goal
This is what Sis. Hattie stated about her favorite hymn, “On to the Goal”: ‘This song kept me alive because many young people were drifting from God and I decided, “never mind what others may do, they cannot run the race for you….on to the goal keep pressing”. This is the only song I learned to play on the piano and sing. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).’