Rev. Dr. Robert L. Burgess
Born, the first son, and the second of four children to James and Georgia Burgess, in Belhaven, North Carolina, Reverend Robert L. Burgess attended and graduated from the local schools in his hometown. During WWII, he served in the United States Army from 1945-1946, in Fürth, Germany.
Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Rev. Burgess entered Shaw University, in Raleigh, North Carolina, graduating in 1951. It was there that he became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha, Beta Rho chapter. Subsequently, he moved to New York, marrying his college sweetheart, the former Jacqueline Church, in August 1953. Rev. Burgess’ career, working in the laboratory as a bacteriologist, and finally in the NYC department of Health, as a health inspector, spanned 30 years.
As a young homeowner in his community, he fought for civil rights and equal opportunity “as the president of the Darrynane Civic Association of North Amityville. This entailed arduous legal battles, including taking the Town of Babylon to the state Supreme Court for their down zoning practices in North Amityville.
In 1966, Reverend joined Bethel A. M. E., of Copiague, NY., where he initially became a Sunday School teacher, hence, superintendent of Sunday school, as well as a steward. Consequently, in 1974, Rev. Burgess answered the call to the ministry. Saying, “Yes,” to our Lord and Savior would be his greatest venture. His preparation for the ministry came via graduation from New York Theological Seminary and the First District Institute of the A. M. E. Church. He was ordained as an A. M. E. Minister by Bishop Richard Allen Hilderbrand. He served for many years under Rev. Simon P. Bouie, and was eventually elevated to Associate Pastor, under Rev. Floyd Black.
In 1984, God opened the door to the pastorate where Rev. Burgess founded Grace Community Church, in Amityville. It was during this era that Pastor Burgess served on the African American Advisory Board of Suffolk County, under two Suffolk County Executives, former County Executive Robert Gaffney, and his successor, Suffolk County Executive, Honorable Steve Levy. Reverend also became the founder of the Ad Hoc Committee, which was formed to investigate and dispute banks’ discriminatory practices of refusing to grant loans to churches. Since then, banks have been less stringent about loaning monies to churches. Namely churches of African American descent.
Along with being the loving devoted husband of 69 years to Jacqueline Burgess, who is a retired educator of the New York City school system, he shares with her the pride of three daughters, Pastor Alexia Burgess Huart, Rev. Robyn L. Walton, and Mrs. Cheryl A. Johnson. Overseer and Mrs. Burgess are the endearing grandparents of seven (six, plus a precious step-granddaughter), and the great grandparents of four.
On October 24, 2015, he relinquished the operations of pastorship to his daughter, Alexia Burgess Huart, and was elevated to the office of Overseer of Grace Community Church. To date, he still teaches and shares his years of unprecedented wisdom with his family, congregants, and community.
Mother Jacqueline D. Burgess
Jacqueline Deloris Church Burgess was born in Norfolk Virginia to Rudolph and Julia Church. She is one of eight children. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, she attended Norfolk State College, then, a junior college. Afterwards, Sis. Burgess entered Shaw University, in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was here that she would meet and, after graduation, marry Robert L. Burgess. They migrated north, making New York their home. Mrs. Burgess became a social worker, an attendance officer, and finally, a teacher in the New York City school system. She received her master’s in Education from Hofstra University, with accelerated courses from CCNY, Queens College, and Stonybrook University, which enabled her to successfully pursue and maintain her career in education until her retirement in 1987.
In 1973, Sis. Burgess accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and then joined Church of God in Christ Little Zion, under Elder (Bishop) Frank E. White.
She became the church secretary, a position she would hold until her husband, Rev. Burgess was called to pastor, in 1984. Transferring her skills to assist Pastor (Overseer), she was secretary for Grace for the next eight years.
Also, during this time, Lady Burgess received her master’s from the O.M. Kelly Religious Training Institute, and began teaching there when, Elder (Bishop) Walter Willie, opened the O.M. Kelly extension at Prayer Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, in Amityville. Many pastors were trained under her tutelage. During this time, the new members of Grace Community Christian Ministries were also receiving her untiring instruction to live victoriously, in Christ, through Bible Study and Sunday School.
As the Elect Lady of Grace Community for over thirty years, Mother Burgess has tirelessly worked alongside her husband, the Rev. Dr. Robert L. Burgess, in Kingdom building. Whatever needed to be done, she has been intricately behind the scenes praying, supporting, and laboring to see the vision through. This also included playing the organ for Tuesday Morning Service, for approximately twenty years.
Overseer and Mother Burgess have recently celebrated 69 years of marriage. They are the parents of three daughters, Pastor Alexia Burgess Huart, Elder Robyn Burgess Walton (Elder Jeffrey Walton), and Sis. Cheryl Burgess Johnson (Bro. Derek Johnson), both of Charlotte, North Carolina. The Burgesses are the very proud grandparents of six grandchildren, along with a beautiful step granddaughter, and four great grandchildren.
Mother Burgess has been devoted to teaching and training the Body of Christ for almost four decades. She continues to encourage and pray for others to stand on the Word of God, live holy, and prepare for Jesus’ return.