Rev. Cecil Williams, longtime leader of Glide Memorial Church, dies

Written by KTVU staff

SAN FRANCISCO (FOX-35)- The Rev. Cecil Williams, who led the influential Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, has died. He was 94 years old.

Williams built Glide into a church that was world-renowned for its social services and activism, especially in the city's Tenderloin neighborhood.

Williams and his late wife Janice Mirikitani reshaped Glide in 1960 to turn the church into a more public-based church, growing it to more than 10,000 members. Last year, Williams announced that he was stepping away from the organization. 

He was a fierce fighter for civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights and was the church's leader for 60 years, where he preached unconditional love to the city's most vulnerable. 

Mayor London Breed issued a statement on the reverend's passing that called him the "conscience of our San Francisco community." 

She said, "He spoke out against injustice and he spoke for the marginalized. He led with compassion and wisdom, always putting the people first and never relenting in his pursuit of justice and equality. His kindness brought people together and his vision changed our City and the world." 

The mayor said what he and his wife created saved and transformed countless lives. "Cecil and Jan showed how supportive housing, wraparound programs and love can uplift troubled communities and create dignity, hope and opportunity."

"Growing up, there were members of the African-American community that inspired us to dream, and to serve, and Cecil Williams was at the top of that list. Cecil mentored generations of San Francisco leaders, many of us emerging from the most difficult circumstances."

"As a young girl, I would never have dreamed I’d grow up to work with him. We all benefited from his guidance, his support, and his moral compass. We would not be who we are as a city and a people without the legendary Cecil Williams." 

Glide Memorial Church issued a statement confirming Williams died at his home on Monday surrounded by family and friends. 

"For over 60 years, Reverend Cecil Williams expanded the limits of spirituality, compassion and diversity as Co-Founder and Minister of Liberation of GLIDE in San Francisco. As a minister, author, social activist, lecturer, community leader and ceaseless champion for the poor and marginalized, Reverend Williams was long respected and recognized as a national leader on the forefront of change and in the struggle for civil and human rights. His ministry underscored his roots in liberation theology. Today, he joins his beloved late wife and Co-Founder, Janice Mirikitani, in eternal peace and life."

Williams' passing was a moment of heartbreak for many in the city. Together with his wife, they were able to stress that you should not just pass by someone you see on the street, but to really reach out and see the humanity in them. 

KTVU recently did a one-on-one interview with the reverend last November during a holiday jam session in his honor. At the time, he had a familiar smile on his face as he looked out over the crowd of the many who celebrated him and Glide with a musical tribute. The party was a showcase of how his influence has crossed all lines of politics and different generations and neighborhoods.  

In a 2019 interview with KTVU, Williams, looking back on his own legacy, said he was proud that he preached unconditional love. With the church located in the Tenderloin, Glide certainly reached out to people where they were most in need. 

"Even though Cecil was 94, and he lived a long, beautiful, and impactful life; nothing takes away that sting of knowing that he is gone," said Glide's Chief Communications Officer Karl Robillard. 

Williams' daughter is reportedly coming up from Los Angeles. In addition, Glide says they will allow people to gather at their church, located on Ellis and Taylor streets, to mourn and remember the reverend. 

KTVU's Jana Katsuyama contributed to this story.