Hello all, it is with much regret that I send this email notification to you all. Our much beloved Reverend John Digby, passed away quietly this morning, surrounded by his dear children and other family members. Reverend Digby and the Progressive Baptist Church have both meant so much to so many of us from the Altgeld Gardens Community. A large number of AGers were born at Progressive, christened at Progressive, members of Progressive, Baptised at Progressive (my daughter Gena and I were baptized together by Rev. Digby in 1983), married at Progressive, sang in the choir at Progressive, served as an usher at Progressive..., I could go on and on. Even if you were not a member of Progressive, you knew of Rev. John Digby and Progressive Church. You may have attended a funeral or wedding or a meeting at the church. In spite of the fact that there were at least 3 other churches in Altgeld, Peters Rock, Our Lady of the Gardens, Mt. Olive, basically everything else was centered around Progressive Church and Carver School. AG historians have shared their memories and stories about their foundation, membership and attendance at Progressive, which was formed in the late 40s, early 50s. Back in the day, it was the norm, that your foundation was formed in the church. Most of us formed our lifelong friendships beginning at Progressive Church or some church. Think about who you met in church and are still friends with today. Sadly, today its not so normal to meet new friends at church. But, Progressive MBC started out, across the highway from Block 1. Eventually, services were held in Carver Schools B Bldg gym and the Carver Park Childrens Bldg. Under Reverend Digbys leadership, before long, the congregation marched down the street to the beautiful new structure behind Block 15. In later years, after a long planning and building process, Progressive moved to its present state of the art home at 26 E. 127th St. True AGers still say Progressive is in the Gardens. Rev. John Digby was a young man when he first began his Pastorage at Progressive. He was not the first Pastor but he is all most of us know. He came from a large family and married Lorraine formerly of block 7. We all have memories of her beautiful singing and his most powerful preaching back in the day. Though the Digbys were not from the G, they were very popular, Leroy, Lee Grant, Annie Mae, Willie Bill (Catfish Digby), William, Charles and Emma, (deceased are: Robert, James and Freddie). My family moved to Altgeld Gardens (block 2) in 1960. We started out at the United Church in block 10, but my Mother later moved over and joined Progressive in 1983. Even though I left Progressive years ago, Reverend Digby always recognized me as one of his and he remained my friend and spiritual advisor throughout my life. When I was out of church he made sure that I knew, that even if I didnt come back to Progressive, that I needed a church home. I found one and made sure I let him know that I have been a member of Mt. Hermon Baptist church for the past 12 years. He let me know that he was proud of me for my accomplishments and I will always remember him for his kind words. REVEREND DOCTOR JOHN DAVID DIGBY, SR., will be missed by many. His death will leave a large void in Progressive Church as well as the Altgeld Gardens Community. His shoes will be hard to fill. We will miss Reverend Digby so much. We (AG) wish his children John Jr. and Kim and his many family members and Progressive Church members, our deepest condolences. Fly away Rev. Digby, we know you are with the King. Funeral Arrangements are as follows: Friday, April 4, 2014 - Rev. Digby will be lying in state for public visitation from 3 pm to 8 pm; Saturday, April 5 the wake will be from 10 am to 11 am and the funeral will be from 11 am to 2 pm, at Progressive MBC, 26 E. 127th St.; burial at Cedar Park Cemetary and the Repast, immediately following the internment. Gatlings Memorial Chapel is handling the service. Ms. Willie Black McShan and Progressive Church Choir were already in the planning stages of the 3rd Annual Progressive Choir Reunion which was set to honor Reverend Digby. The Choir Reunion will still take place on Friday, April 26, 2014 at 6 pm at Progressive MBC. Please pass this information on to those on your email, Facebook, Twitter list. Be Blessed.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 02:11:16 +0000
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