|
The Founding Fathers
Rev.
William Stevens (1916-2009) had the idea to form a foundation in Belleville that
would bring cultural and educational programs to the area after he performed a near miracle in town. You may remember him as the Pastor of the Grace United Methodist Church in Belleville or as the elderly white-haired gentleman walking fast pace down Main Street in his hat, suit and tie trying to get all of us to take a more active role in our community. He reminded me of watching President Harry Truman taking a walk. There was a lot of confidence in his step and what he thought our community could do in a joint effort.
In late 1987 he brought Merrill Womach, a well known Christian singer, to Belleville to sing at the High School Gym. Rev. Stevens went to the Citizens State Bank in town to borrow the money to bring Womach to town. He had faith in himself and in those he asked to help sponsor the event and pay the loan back if things did not go as he planned. How he filled the gym with 1300 people is an unbelievable miracle. He and his wife wrote every church in a 70 plus mile radius and asked them to travel to Belleville to hear a christian singer. He paid the loan back at the bank and the rest went to the church. He made some of us believe in miracles.
He also founded the Belleville Kiwanis Club. Many told him it would be impossible because those interested in a service group already belonged to the Community Club. He did not listen to negative thinking. He founded the Kiwanis Club in Belleville.
Rev. Stevens is the Founding Father of the BACF. He cornered Joe Hageman, Gary Loecher, Anne Spencer and Gary Bahr to meet and work out the details for the Foundation. With the help of Atty
William Fahey, the Belleville Area Cultural Foundation, Inc
was created as a non-profit public 501 (c)(3) corporation. It was structured so that it will bring entertainment and educational programs to Belleville for eternity and is only limited by the number of membership shares that are sold. Rev. Bill Stevens did his job. We need to do our share.
See a Tribute to Rev. Willam V. Stevens.
Nothing could be done without the personal, business and organization membership shares, memorials and donations that make the Foundation possible and a success. It will be more successful when you join. READ THE REST OF THE BACF STORY.
|
|
|