Bishop Nellie C. Yarborough Memorial

In the year of our Lord Nineteen hundred Twenty-five, on the 18th day of June, God saw that the world needed a vessel that would serve Him wholeheartedly. Thus He decided to go into the depth of Orange County, North Carolina, where you couldn’t even hear a train whistle blow, to breathe the breath of life into - one He knew would be faithful until death did them part; one He knew would serve Him and His ministry, through the gifting and fruits of the spirit.  He called forth “Nellie Constance Yarborough” to be born of the Reverend Anderson Yarborough and Mrs. Bessie Warren-Yarborough.  After over 70 years of service to him, she transitioned from this world when her Master visited her early one Sabbath morning and whispered into her ear that He had come to take her to a place of rest.

As the tenth of eleven children, Nellie was a quite precocious child, leading the way for her sibling.  Where many of her sibling were reserved and to themselves, she always was found at her tasking, out and about. Her father, Reverend Yarborough, was served as her catalyst to ministry as the pastor of the White Oak Grove Baptist Church.  It was there that Nellie came to understand Jesus Christ as Lord and to be baptized into the faith.

Her youthful eagerness to living in the ways of the Lord lead her to a tent revival under the ministry gift of Dr. Brumfield Johnson, founder of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church, Incorporated. She soon became a child protégé preacher, convincing her father to allow her to travel with Dr. Johnson to spread the gospel and to support his calling in adding to the church daily.  She would go on to serve as his Administrative Assistant for many years and to support the national church in Durham, NC and Buffalo, NY.  A part of her role was aiding in establishing the national church’s headquarters in Boston, MA. In addition, in 1962 she began serving as the Assistant Pastor of Mount Calvary Holy Church–Boston, becoming its senior pastor in 1972 until 2012.  

 Bishop Yarborough was one of two women ordained bishops in the Mount Calvary Holy Churches of America. She served faithful on the Board of Bishops and as Jurisdictional Bishop.  At her time of transition she held the distinction as the only female bishop in its episcopacy.  She also served faithfully in various capacities including National Corresponding Secretary, Assistant Secretary, National Executive Secretary, and Missionary Convention National Secretary. She also served as National Youth Vice-President from 1948-1982.  She was also the National President of the Fellowship Conference and State Treasure.

As a pioneer, Bishop Yarborough was one of Boston’s first in feeding the hungry and caring for the homeless through the food pantry, clothing ministry and community supper ministry. A commitment she had for over forty years. She was also one of the first female pastors in the city of Boston and served as a trailblazer, breaking many glass ceiling, yet never pausing to examine the indelible marking.

Beyond her many responsibilities in the church, Bishop Yarborough has always been active in the community.  In Buffalo, NY, she, along with other members of the evangelistic group, headed a daycare center for working mothers.  In Boston her community activities have been many and varied.  Her church was made available to many community groups and for political forums and community and school representatives to speak on relevant issues and concerns.

She was a founding member Project Right, United Pentecostal Ministers Council, and Black Ministerial Alliance of Boston, where she also served as secretary. She was a member of the Blue Hill Task Force, Advisory Board of Vision New England, Boston Education Committee, and Ten Point Coalition.

Bishop Yarborough’s commitment to providing the community and church with necessary resources caused her to take on such roles as member of the State Credit Consumer's Board of Directors, Hunger Hotline Pantry Network, Dorchester Task Force Board of Directors, College of Afro-American Caucus, Friends for Missions Advisory Council; Vice President, Concerned Citizens for Roxbury Minority Caucus; Associate Editor of the Spiritual Voice Magazine and the Y.P.H.A. Manual; Paul Robeson Division of Music Co-Chairperson - Madison Park High School; and a  member of Christians for Biblical Equality. 

One of her major accomplishment was when she served as Founder & Principal of the Dr. Brumfield Johnson Christian Academy, which has education hundreds of children in the city of Boston. Additionally, she was the Founder & Dean of the N.C.Y. Bible Institute, committed to teaching the full gospel and equipping believers in the faith.

With a thirst for higher education, Bishop Yarborough earned her several degrees, certifications and distinctions.  She attended the American Bible School of Theology, Chandler Secretarial School for Women, Boston State College, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Bishop Yarborough received her Baccalaureate degree in Religion and Philosophy from Eastern Nazarene College, a Masters in Business Administration and Management from Cambridge College, and was in enrolled in a Doctorate of Education program, before her passing.

She was the recipient of countless awards and citations to include: National Youth Conference (1941-1978); 43 years Service Award (1941-1984); Church Award 1979; RICC Award (1967-1970); Outstanding Service Award, 1979 (50th Year Jubilee); Greater Boston Interdenominational Conference, 1988; Urban League Guild  (1990); Channel 7 People Salute, (1991); Center Urban Ministerial Education, (1991); The National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.’s "The Sojourner Truth Meritorious Service Award" (1991);  Who's Who of American Women, Giraffe Association (2002).  Boston Ten-Point Coalition recognized her with the Matriarch's of Ministry Award (XXXX) and Dimock Community Health Center -Mary Eliza Mahoney Award (2003) and she was the first recipient of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church, International Living Legend Award (2004). In 2011 she was honored as “One of Boston’s Greater Women” by the Black Ministerial Alliance of Boston.

Additionally, Bishop Yarborough received the Patriarch of Women Pastors, Northeast Regional Women’s Conference, and the Award for Community Service and Commitment to Roxbury, Boston Elderly Commission (2007) and the WISE women Award from Judah Ministries (2008).   Most recently she was recognized for her trailblazing ability to lead women in ministry in the community by Pastor William E. Dickerson and the Greater Love Tabernacle Family Conference (2010).  In 2011, Bishop Yarborough was also the oldest student to graduate from Parent University. In October of the same year, honored by Mayor Tom Menino with a street naming ceremony for the “Bishop Nellie Yarborough Square”. 

Affectionately known as Momma Nellie, she was a spiritual mother to the city of Boston, nurturing men and women alike in ministry and giving godly counsel and motherly love to politicians and school teachers, to firefighter and kitchen workers, to police officers and college presidents. Many loved her, trusted her as a confidant and were privileged to be able to call her friend.

Though her life was giving to the work of the ministry, Bishop Yarborough also had a commitment to family and enjoyed spending time with them.  She especially enjoyed taking cruises and trips with her sister Delores and her entire family.  She was well read and versed in local, national and international events.  She often gave voice in politics, education and social policy.  

Those to ever cherish her memory are: brother, Edward (NC), sisters, Molly and Magaline (NC) and Delores (NY); two special nephews, Melvin A. Parker and William L. Parker; a host of nephews, nieces, godchildren, church family and you.

Credit: https://digitalarchives.sec.state.ma.us/