HOUSTON (May 15, 2024) – Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston expresses its deep sorrow at the passing of Reverend William A. Lawson at the age of 95. Reverend Lawson is honored with a Pillar of Light on Interfaith Ministries’ Brigitte and Bashar Kalai Plaza of Respect, located at 3303 Main Street in Midtown Houston.
Rev. Lawson was the last surviving member of the “Three Amigos,” a trio of faith leaders that also included the late Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza and Rabbi Samuel Karff. The three men worked together for decades on issues pertaining to civil and human rights and were a force in Houston. They worked with civic and business leaders as representatives of the faith community and as a voice for the marginalized.
Interfaith Ministries mourns the loss of this great man and celebrates his inspiring legacy. He was known as “Houston’s Pastor” and was beloved in the city as a man of deep faith and integrity. The congregation he founded and served as pastor for 42 years, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, is a long-time partner of Interfaith Ministries.
“Reverend Lawson exemplified the idea of “respect thy neighbor” that is at the heart of our mission,” shared Interfaith Ministries President & CEO Martin B. Cominsky. “We choose to honor his legacy by continuing the much-needed work of building bridges among diverse groups to foster respect and understanding.”
For more information about Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, go to www.imgh.org.
ABOUT INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON
A United Way partner, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston (Interfaith Ministries) brings people of diverse faith traditions together for dialogue, collaboration, and service, as a demonstration of our shared beliefs. Interfaith Ministries provides four main services: Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston and Galveston County which delivers more than 1.9 million meals each year to homebound seniors and people with disabilities across four counties; Refugee Services which, in conjunction with the U.S. State Department, resettles thousands of refugees in Houston; Interfaith Relations and Community Partnerships, which provides community services fostering understanding, respect and engagement among Houstonians of all faiths; the Vic Samuels Center for Volunteerism and Civic Service, which establishes a positive and lasting impact on the Greater Houston community through organized service and leadership through Volunteer Houston and SERVE HOUSTON.
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