Willie King honored for long-time service to St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church

By Judie Holcomb-Pack Many faiths use the term “cradle” to describe a member who has been of that faith since birth. Willie King gives new meaning to that term as he was the first baby baptized at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church after the parish was established in 1940. It is one of four historically Black parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte. The church was one of the first African American parishes and its congregation continues to be ethnically diverse and has a vibrant Hispanic and Latino congregation. Now 84, King has never deviated from his church roots. He has served as an altar server, coordinator and trainer for 69 years. He has also served on the church board, building, grounds and facilities committee, usher, Eucharistic minister and official greeter of new church pastors. Also notable is that his daughter, Tijuana, was the first female altar server at St. Benedict’s. However, King remains humble and when the church proposed a recognition service in his honor, he asked that it be dedicated to his late wife, Gloria, instead. The Willie King Recognition Day began with a Mass on Saturday, May 18, led by Fr. Melchesideck Yumo. During his comments, Fr....