Rev. Lewis Stewart, longtime religious leader and activist, dies

Robert Bell, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·4 min read

Respected religious leader and once the esteemed president of the United Christian Leadership Ministry (UCLM), the Rev. Lewis Stewart died at his residence in Rochester on Oct 27 following a lengthy illness. He was 77 years old.

A passionate supporter of social justice, Rev. Stewart was widely recognized in the Rochester community as a leader who took action and spoke to address social, financial and racial disparities.

He was known for his honesty and the unique ability to express strong dissent while conveying warmth and love for those who didn't share his beliefs.

After a video surfaced in February showing multiple Memphis police officers assaulting 29-year-old Tyre Nichols, Rev. Stewart shared his thoughts with the Democrat and Chronicle, resonating with sentiments from his lifelong advocacy.

"It's about police culture," Rev. Stewart said. "It's like law enforcement hasn't learned anything over the last few years."

The comments came months after Rev. Stewart was showered with praise from public figures and law enforcement members upon his retirement as the head of UCLM.

"Give people their flowers while they can still smell them," Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said at the retirement ceremony.

Rev. Lewis Stewart accepting an award from Mayor Malik Evans.
Rev. Lewis Stewart accepting an award from Mayor Malik Evans.

"When Reverend Stewart calls, that's a call you want to answer," former Mayor Lovely Warren said later during the event.

"I never make it personal," Rev. Stewart responded when questioned about his ability to navigate various organizations. "We need police in our community, but we need police to do a better job and respect our human rights."

Rev. Stewart was born on Feb 3, 1946, in Newburgh, New York. He was the child of the late Bishop Lewis W. Stewart, Sr., and Carrie Stultz Williams.

The memories of unrest in Newburgh after Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968 had always remained fresh in the reverend's mind.

"That was a volatile time period," Rev. Stewart said. "Just like the time we're living in now."

Rev. Lewis Stewart, of First Church of God, shown in a 2021 photo, speaking out against the Rochester Police Department's use of handcuffs and pepper spray on a 9-year-old girl.
Rev. Lewis Stewart, of First Church of God, shown in a 2021 photo, speaking out against the Rochester Police Department's use of handcuffs and pepper spray on a 9-year-old girl.

Upon completing his B.S. in Political Science from Brockport, Rev. Stewart obtained a Master of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary. Additionally, he studied social work at Syracuse University.

After starting his journey in ministry at 17, Rev. Stewart was ordained as an Elder within New York City's Churches of God in Christ by June 1972. He also held the title of an ordained Baptist Minister.

Rev. Stewart offered his services as Associate Minister at Second Baptist Church in Mumford, New York, under Dr. Charles Thurman's guidance, and at Christian Friendship Missionary Baptist Church led by Dr. John S. Walker. His most recent role was as the Pastor of Christian Community Church.

Before his involvement with UCLM, Rev. Stewart held the position of Chaplain at the New York State Department of Corrections, serving at both Groveland Correctional and Five Points Correctional facilities. There, he was a spiritual guide to the inmates and an earnest supporter of prison reforms.

"They called me Dad," Rev. Stewart recalled, reflecting on his prison ministry.

In August 2013, Rev. Stewart co-founded UCLM alongside Dr. John S Walker and Bishop Dr. Dwight Fowler. He was chosen as the organization's inaugural president. Under his leadership, UCLM helped usher in several changes in policy and practice within the justice system, including:

  • Implementation of body-worn cameras by the Rochester Police Department and later by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

  • Initiated annual police community summits in 2016, aimed at bringing law enforcement and the community together for dialogue and relationship-building.

  • Preserved funding for OACES (Office of Adult and Career Education Services), an adult education program that serves Monroe County.

  • Development of community programs to address gun violence.

  • Developed the Judicial Observation Project, training citizens to observe court proceedings and offer advice on addressing implicit bias and systemic racism.

  • Establishing the Civilian Interview Panel in both Rochester and Brighton, where citizens can participate in the screening of candidates for the local police force.

Rev. Lewis Stewart is retiring as leader of The United Christian Leadership Ministry of Western New York, known as UCLM.
Rev. Lewis Stewart is retiring as leader of The United Christian Leadership Ministry of Western New York, known as UCLM.

Towards the latter part of his life, Rev. Stewart inspired upcoming activists, urging them to brace themselves for a long journey ahead.

"You don't get days off because you're trying to make life better for yourself and the next generation coming behind you," Rev. Stewart said.

Services will be held at First Church of God, 334 Clarissa St., under the direction of Bishop Dr. Dwight Fowler, UCLM's current president.

Contact Robert Bell at: rlbell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @byrobbell & Instagram: @byrobbell.

This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rev. Lewis Stewart, religious leader and activist, dies