Preacher, author, orator, teacher, and historian were all titles held by one man: Theodore Sylvester Boone. Boone’s work – especially the work he did for King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit – will forever be remembered.
Boone came to Detroit from Fort Worth, Texas in 1944. He became the pastor for King Solomon Baptist Church, which, at that time, was located at 9244 Delmar St. in Detroit. It wasn’t until 1952 that the church moved to its current location at 6125 14th St.
During his time as pastor, Boone did many things with his new church and its congregation. Boone took some churchgoers to the Holy Land. He also started programs to reach the community surrounding King Solomon: the Benevolent Society, Boy and Girl Scouts, religious education classes and junior church.
King Solomon also had facilities equipped for skating, dining and daycare. There were even famous boxers who trained in the facility.
Julia McGee, who served as the daycare director from 1979 to 1981, recalls Boone as having great influence on the church. She says Boone opened the daycare for 30 children, aged between 2 1/2 to 6 years old. A bus was also purchased to transport the children for field trips.
“We took them to the zoo and to Santa,” explains McGee.
Boone’s influence did not stop with the church but also extended to his church members’ lives as well.
“He encouraged me to strengthen my singing voice by setting up vocal lessons for me,” says McGee, who sang in the senior choir.
When
not busy with church responsibilities, Boone took to writing. As an author, Boone published many books and was included in
"Who's Who Among North American Authors." His accomplishments also received him recognition in
"Who's Who in Colored America" and "Who's Who in the
Midwest."
Boone
also held the position as chairman of the National Historical Convention and
historiographer of the National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. for 14 years.
Just a year after arriving in Michigan, Boone arranged for the
National Baptist Convention USA Inc. to assemble in Detroit.
However,
Boone's accomplishments extended beyond Detroit.
Before moving to Michigan to become the new pastor for King Solomon,
Boone taught bible classes in Fort Worth, Texas at I.M. Terrell High School.
He was also a lecturer in the L.K. Williams Ministerial Institute.
While
living in Oklahoma, Boone served as dean of the Oklahoma School of Religion as
well as dean of the chapel at Langston University in Langston.
In
Indiana, Boone was a lawyer in the Lake and Marion circuit courts. He also
practiced in the U.S. District Court of Indiana.
“He
knew so many people both in Michigan and across the states,” says McGee.
According to McGee, many famous locals would come to King Solomon because of Boone.
“He
had a lot of know how,” she says. “He
was well respected within the community.”
Boone
served as pastor for King Solomon until his death in May 1973.
At
his funeral, McGee was asked to sing the song "My Work is Done."
Indeed, his work may have been done, but Boone’s memory lives on for those who knew him.