Elder Edgar O. Madison Jr. was appointed pastor of the historical Kennerly Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC), 4307 Kennerly Ave., on Saturday, December 15, after he was the overwhelming preference in polling of the local church membership. He succeeded the late pastor, Bishop Robert J. Ward, who transitioned on September 30 at 88.
Bishop Sedgwick Daniels, who is serving as the interim jurisdictional prelate and General Board member of COGIC, made the appointment with the approval of Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding bishop of COGIC.
“The former first lady, Mother Dorothy Ward, and the whole Ward family have embraced my succeeding his ministry,” Elder Madison told The American.
His first two weeks leading the congregation have gone smoothly. “No surprises,” he said. “I grew up there.”
A native St. Louisan, Elder Edgar “Petey” Madison is a product of COGIC and has served the Kennerly Temple COGIC since an early age. While he is recognized as a preacher, he also has the responsibilities as state minister of Music of the Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction of COGIC, president of the Midwest Area Music Department of COGIC and vice president of the International Music Department of COGIC.
Elder Madison also found time to remain extremely active on a local level as a member of Kennerly Temple COGIC and assistant pastor to Bishop Ward. Elder Madison lovingly continued his loyal service under the leadership of Bishop Ward until Bishop Ward’s demise.
Excelling from his humble beginnings in the local church choir, Elder Madison was appointed state minister of Music of the Eastern Missouri Music Department of COGIC in 1983, under the late Bishop William E. Turner. In 1994, he received the appointment as administrative assistant and director of Finance in the National Music Department of COGIC under the leadership of Evangelist LuVonia Whittley, national president. In 2000, he was reappointed to both positions by the newly appointed International President Iris Stevenson.
In January 2009, Judith McAllister appointed Elder Madison to the high office of vice president to continue his service within the International Music Department.
Elder Madison has labored untiringly for years in the gospel music arena, both locally and nationally. He gave considerable attention to the late Mattie Moss Clark, who was the national president of the International Music Department for 25 years. He served in many capacities under her administration. Elder Madison devoted a great amount of energy and time to the ministry of music during her reign as the so-called “Queen of Gospel Music.” This was a period of nurturing and training that is deeply instilled into the soul, spirit and body of Elder Madison.
Elder Madison has worked in the community of St. Louis intricately with the likes of the late Ida Goodwin Woolfolk and Alderman Sam Moore and as a member of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis under the leadership of former President and CEO James H. Buford and the current President and CEO Michael McMillan.
Elder Madison is a much sought after and nationally known as a gospel speaker, teacher, and preacher. He is known as one of the hardest-working men in the field of gospel music today. Elder Madison fulfills the Biblical pronouncement that “your gift will make room for you and bring you before great men.” Standing at the pinnacle of achievement, he remains humble, reserved and somewhat embarrassed by the attention being showered on him as a result of his many appointments, including this most recent honor of succeeding Bishop Ward as pastor of Kennerly Temple COGIC.
“I want to build on his legacy,” Elder Madison said of Bishop Ward. “This is an historic church.”
However, he sees opportunity for the church to do more work in the local community. “I want to reach out into the community to build our mission in the Ville,” he said, “and provide more community services.”
His Installation Ceremony is being planned for the latter part of April, when weather will be favorable for the many visitors expected from out of town. The American will share that information when it is finalized.
