In July 1919, Bro. Thomas A. Ellis and delegates from New York State traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to attend the first National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. Convention, organized and founded by Elijah A. Hamilton.  In July 1920, Bro. Ellis along with the New York State delegation attended the second National Convention, which was held in Washington D.C. New York delegates were unsatisfied with many things that happened at the Convention, so they decided to pull out of the National.  Bro. Thomas A. Ellis, and members of other churches from Brooklyn came back with a thought in mind, to organize an Ushers’ Union in Brooklyn.  A call went out to the churches. After several months they had enough replies to call another meeting at which time “The United Church Ushers League of Brooklyn and L.I.” was organized, in September 1922 at First A.M.E. Zion Church, 341 Bridge Street, Brooklyn, New York.  The late Rev. W. C. Brown, Pastor, presided over the election. The President:  George Jackson; First Vice President:  G. E. Emory: Second Vice President:  Chester Clayborn:  Recording Secretary:  J. W. Stewart; Corresponding Secretary:  A. R. Baskerville;  Treasurer:  J. Meabens; Chaplain:  J. B. Fields: Marshall:  J. T. Beasley; Sick Committee: L. Lynch.

 

The President stated the purpose of this meeting was to appoint a committee for Bylaws. Committee Members:  Chester Clayborne, G. E. Emory, George Jackson and J. W. Stewart.  Churches represented at that meeting were: Antioch Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, Bethany Baptist Church, Bethel A. M. E. Church, Concord Baptist and First A. M. E. Church.  At the next meeting other committees were appointed.  At that time the meetings were held at churches, halls and the Y. M. C. A.

 

The joining fee was 10 cents.  Individual members joined.  Later Church Usher Boards joining fee was $1.00.  Churches who joined in 1924 were:  Brown Memorial Baptist Church, Newman Memorial Methodist Church, Bridge Street A.M.E. Church and Cornerstone Baptist Church.  During our 83 years of existence, we had nine Presidents.  Bro. George Jackson of First A.M.E. Zion Church served for three years; the second President, Bro. John Stewart of Antioch Baptist Church served for four years;  third President, Bro. Dan Staten of Concord Baptist Church served two years; fourth President, Bro Frank Jackson of Antioch Baptist Church served two years; fifth President, Bro. George Sawyer of First A.M.E. Zion Church served three years; sixth President, Sis. Bertha Green of First Baptist Church of Sheepshead Bay served two years.  Sis Green later served as Advisor until her demise.  In 1938, Bro. Henry Ballard thanked the League officers and members for the confidence they put in him and pledged by the help of God and the cooperation of the Organization he would do his best.  When he took office, many things began to happen.  After checking the books, he found nine active churches on roll and $39.00 in the treasury.  At the next meeting he brought his plans to the League.  The Organization took on a new life.  Many new clubs and committees were formed, and a business system was set up.  First were the Ushers’ Bulletin, The Ushers’ Chorus, Arts and Crafts, Nurses Unit, Sick Department, Convention Aide Club, Presentation Committee, President’s Council, Junior Department, School of Ushering, The Alumni Department, Supervisor Council, Publicity, Ways and Means, Floral Club, The William H. Davis Club, The Young Adult Department, and finally, The Thomas A. Ellis Scholarship Award Program.

 

The first seventeen years the Organization began to move forward.  We met at different churches:  Cornerstone Baptist, Newman Memorial Methodist and Bethany Baptist.  By that time, we were off and moving.  It was suggested by the Board of Directors that a committee should be appointed to look for our own building.  Another suggestion was that we should have our League incorporated.  A committee was appointed to intercede for it.  It was suggested by the President before we be incorporated that the name should be changed.  He suggested the name would change from The United Ushers League of Brooklyn and Long Island to The Church Ushers Association of Brooklyn and Long Island, Inc.  The committee met with a lawyer and in 1945 the name was changed, and the Organization was incorporated.

 

With the help of Bro. Odus Powell, they found a place at 915 Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.  The President ordered a special notice to all members to please be present at the next meeting on January 12, 1953, to vote on the purchase of this property.  All were in favor and the property was purchased.  It was paid for within eleven (11) years.

 

In 1969, a committee was appointed through The Board of Directors to look for a new headquarters. The committee reported that they had found a place located at 1398 St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, New York.  This two-story building was purchased and on June 29, 1980, we held a Mortgage Burning Ceremony.

 

In 1980, Bro. John L. Everett, Jr., a member of Brown Memorial Baptist Church was elected the eighth President of the Organization.  Bro. Henry Ballard became President Emeritus.  At Brown Memorial, Mr. Everett served as President of the Male Ushers Board, President of the Joint Board of Ushers.  In 1991 he organized Tag Night.  Our first chairperson was Sis. Gertrude Hardwick.  In 1994 the name was changed to Founders Night, and a permanent date was set for the first Friday night of October.  He served as President of the Church Ushers Association of New York State, Inc. from 1974 through 1978.  During his tenure he organized Church Ushers Association of America, Inc., for 22 years; a member of National Board of Directors and served as National Board Chairman.  On October 14, 1995, we celebrated our 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary.  Sis Alberta Jones was chairman.

 

In 1997 Sis. Alberta Jones, a member of Bethany Baptist Church, became the ninth President of the Organization.  President Jones brought a wealth of knowledge to the Organization having served in each Department.  She is the Immediate Past President of the Joint Board of Ushers at Bethany Baptist Church, Past New York State Board Chairman for twelve years; also, Past New York State President from 1990 through 1994.  President Jones served in many capacities in the Eastern Region, and on the National level.  She was also the first National Young Adult President, and currently she is recognized as President Emeritus of the Department.

 

On June 2, 2001, we organized our first Walk-A-Thon for the Kidney Foundation and our Building Fund.  The late Sis. Doris O. Nelson, our Third Vice President of Janes United Methodist Church served as chairman and the late Bro. Vernell “Buster” Lloyd Stringfield served as co-chairman.

 

Our organization is affiliated with the New York State Ushers Association, the Eastern Region, and the National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc.  We also have a lifetime membership with the N.A.A.C.P.

 

We have donated to charity Organizations including The Jewish Home for the Aged, The Sickle Cell Foundation, The United Negro College Fund, The Cancer Foundation, The Heart Foundation and The Diabetes Foundation.

 

In 2021, Bro. Filmore F. Gregory, a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, became the tenth President of the Organization.  He rose to the position of President after having served in each of the four Vice President positions, and many years of mentoring by President Emeritus Alberta Jones, who passed the torch after 23 years of devoted service to the organization.

 

President Gregory’s journey began with a vision of incorporating changes that would enhance the growth of our Organization.  The Association’s Bylaws were revised in 2023 emphasizing term limits for all elected and appointed officers.  The Young Adult Counselor position was replaced with Advisors from the Presidential Staff and the Board of Directors.  Kenneth Robinson and Lillie Grant are the first to serve as Advisors.

 

In the Church Ushers Association of New York State, Inc., he served as a member of the Board of Directors for six years, and as Board Chairman for three years.  Subsequently, he served as Parliamentarian for the State.

 

In the Eastern Region Church Ushers Association, He served as Eastern Region Director for twelve years introducing innovative ideas.  The Men’s Fellowship Committee was organized during his tenure.  Subsequently, the committee bears the name Filmore F. Gregory Men’s Fellowship Committee.

 

During the 90th national convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was elected to serve as the 20th President of the National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. where he served from 2009 to 2012.

As President of NUCUAA, his administration produced three accomplishments among many that he is extremely proud:  (1) The National Men’s Fellowship Committee was established in 2009 as a standing committee, and subsequently bears the name Filmore F. Gregory Men’s Fellowship Committee.  (2)  George T. Grier School of Ushering Manual and Instructors’ Guidelines  for NUCUAA were published and copyrighted in 2010.  (3) The Information Technology/Marketing Strategies Committee to publish a “Call To Convention Booklet,” Facebook Page, E-newsletter (The NUCUAA Insider) and developed other technological means of communication to spotlight the organization.

 

Currently he serves as President Emeritus of the National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc., and he continues to serve the organization.

 

With God’s guidance and the support of our member Churches, President Gregory’s  goal is to advance  the organization by introducing creative, innovative ideas.

 

We are very proud of our Organization and the cooperation of the Ministers of our Churches.

 

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