Rev. Robert Keesee
St. .Paul AME Church, located at 2514 Williams St., will celebrate its 127th anniversary on Saturday and Sunda, Aug. 13-14. There will be free food, activities and speakers on Saturday, Aug. 13 from 3-7 p.m. as the church works to heal the community.
Presenters Include:
Linda Murray Bullard - LSMB Business Solutions
Father 2 the Fatherless
Donna Elle
On Sunday, Aug. 14, the guest speaker at the 11 a.m. service will be Rev. Robert Kesee.
Robert Edward Keesee’s pastorate has blessed the 13th Episcopal District as a builder, a leader in the acquisition of real estate and as a connectional leader. Born in Clarksville, Tenn., his family spiritually nurtured him among the loving family and friends of Martin Chapel AME Church.
There he accepted Jesus the Christ as his Lord and Savior at the young age of nine. As a devoted teacher in the Metro-Nashville School System his earnest desire was to serve God and Humanity. He therefore, accepted the call to preach while a member of Lee Chapel AME Church, Nashville, under the pastorate of the late Rev. James Boyd.
The young man prepared himself for God’s work both theologically and academically by receiving a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree from Tennessee State University and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from American Baptist Theological Seminary. Additionally, from Scarritt College at Vanderbilt Divinity School Rev. Keesee received a Master of Religious Education. He also matriculated at Lexington Theological Seminary in the Doctorate of Ministry program. Rev. Keesee has received honorary doctorate degrees from Shorter College, Little Rock, Arkansas and Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce Ohio.
Rev. Keesee is a prolific writer and has published many books. His ministerial gifts have always blessed the communities where he served ecumenical circles and African Methodism. He has traveled in the interest of African Methodism throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Africa. Our trusted friend has brought glory to God as the recipient of various honors including the Governor’s Outstanding Tennessean Award, Outstanding Community Leader Award, Murfreesboro, Rutherford County Tennessee Leadership Award, Outstanding Community Service Award Nashville, Tennessee, Distinguished Citizen and Key to the City, Chattanooga among many others.
Presiding Elder Keesee retired in 2012. He is a member of Prince Hall Masons Lodge #51, is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Urban League-Chattanooga, Tennessee Chapter. Rev. Keesee is married to Gladys Mae Allen Keesee and they are the proud parents of three children, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.