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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-99
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
September 19, 2023
To recognize and celebrate the life, legacy and contributions of Bishop C.M. Bailey, the fourth
Bishop of the United House of Prayer for All People.
WHEREAS, C.M. Bailey was a native of Newport News, Virginia;
WHEREAS, in 1967, Bishop Bailey began serving as a minister in the United House of
Prayer under the tutelage of Bishop Walter McCollough;
WHEREAS, after ordination, Bishop Bailey led worshippers as pastor for Augusta,
Georgia United House of Prayer congregations on East Boundary Street and at the ornate regional
“Motherhouse” on Wrightsboro Road as well as congregations in both Charlotte, North Carolina
and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
WHEREAS, in the year 2000, recognizing the necessity to strengthen the General Council,
Bishop S.C. Madison appointed Bishop Bailey as a Judge of the General Council; and then in 2004
Head Judge of that body. Furthermore, in 2006, he was appointed the Senior Minister of the United
House of Prayer. These gestures underscored Bishop Bailey’s wisdom, leadership, and the trust
placed in his ability to guide the future of the church ;
WHEREAS, on May 23, 2008, Bishop Bailey became the fourth leader of the United House
of Prayer after the death of Bishop Madison;
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Bishop Bailey presided over 137 congregations in nearly
30 states and the District of Columbia;
WHEREAS, Bishop Bailey was nationally recognized for a ministry which placed
particular emphasis on youth. He was inspired to launch a visionary initiative, “RETURN,” where
church members were strongly encouraged to restore within themselves traditional core Christian
values and to encourage youth to learn and embody those same moral standards ;
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WHEREAS, consistent with his commitment to youth, Bishop Bailey served as Executive
Director of the McCollough Scholarship College Fund, which awards needs-based scholarships to
students, and where he was annually the Scholars hip Fund’s most generous benefactor;
WHEREAS, Bishop Bailey also exercised stewardship over multiple housing initiatives,
with complexes in Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, New Haven, CT, Washington, DC, Charlotte,
NC, Norfolk, VA, Columbia, SC, Augusta, GA, Macon, GA, Savannah, GA, and other locations
culminating in the building and dedication, in October 2022, of a brand new complex—the Bailey
Village, which is regionally recognized as leading the revitalization of East Downtown
Greensboro, NC;
WHEREAS, Bishop Bailey led church initiatives focusing on senior citizens, including the
operation of 2 senior citizen-care facilities called “Madison’s Saints Paradise,” one of which is the
only Black- owned and operated facility of its kind in the state o f North Carolina;
WHEREAS, Bishop Bailey also served as Executive Director of the McCollough Voters’
League, a national initiative that has registered voters, provided transportation to polling places,
and encouraged responsible civic participation, and as Chancellor and Executive Director of the
McCollough Theological Seminary, which assists budding ministers in becoming pastors and
strengthens their knowledge of God and the Bible ;
WHEREAS, Bishop Bailey spent 56 years in ministry, the last 15 of which he spent as the
leader of the United House of Prayer;
WHEREAS, Bishop Bailey passed away unexpectedly on August 11, 2023, at the age of
73 in the greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area while actively discharging his duties to his
church;
WHEREAS, Bishop Bailey is survived by his wife of 52 years, W.G. Bailey; his mother,
Dorothy Bailey; 2 daughters, one son, 2 brothers , a sister, and 2 grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Bailey dedicated his life and career to serving others and providing
for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of so many people, including thousands of residents
of the District of Columbia.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, T hat this
resolution may be cited as the “Bishop C.M. Bailey Posthumous Recognition Resolution of 2023” .
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Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the life and legacy
of Bishop C.M. Bailey for his dedication and valuable contributions to both civic and religious life
in the District of Columbia through his work with and leadership of the United House of Prayer.
Sec. 3. This r esolution shall take effect immediately .