Hundreds of mourners gathered at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem Friday to celebrate the life of The Rev. Calvin Butts.

The spiritual leader died last week after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He began his service at the church as an executive minister a half century ago and spent the last 33 years leading the historic Harlem congregation.

“Dr. Butts, he made hope,” said James Hunter, a mourner from Brooklyn. “He instilled discipline in his people. He told you to dream, but he also allowed or suggested that you do your best and be your best and put your best forward for the sake of humanity.”

The line for his funeral on Friday extended down the block and around the corner. Many mourners had personal anecdotes of how Reverend Butts impacted their life.

“I sat under his teaching for a number of years and it actually led me into the ministry,” said Steven Jones, a minister attending the funeral Friday. “So now I serve as a minister working with a pastor and a church in the Bronx so his roots run deep within me.”

Butts’ legacy extends beyond the church. He was a leading voice in racial justice movements and President of the State University of New York Old Westbury for two decades, retiring from that role in 2020. He also had a hand in many developmental projects that helped to transform Harlem.

“I miss Calvin Butts,” former President Bill Clinton told parishioners Friday, adding he wished Butts lived to 110. “I wanted him to keep telling us ‘we have to save people, not reject them. We have to convert people, not cancel them. We have to build, not tear down. We have to lift up.’”

Butts’ political influence could be seen in who attended the service, in addition to Clinton, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams paid their respects at his Home Going Ceremony.

“Seventy-three. He personified what we say in the community. Good Black don’t crack,” Adams said to laughs.

Adams praised the pastor for his personal actions against oppression, painting over tobacco and alcohol ads in the community and speaking out against misogynistic rap lyrics. The mayor also noted proof of Butts’ leadership in the proliferation of his disciples in the Adams administration.

“All I did was look down the directory of Abyssinian and find the best,” the mayor joked.

Many in Harlem say the community lost a giant and his legacy will live on with all those he impacted.

“A mighty oak has fallen, that’s who Calvin Butts was and it’s left a gap and people have to fill that gap and continue the work,” Jones said. “Continue to speak truth to power”

Butts is survived by his wife, three children and six grandchildren. He was 73.