Cecil Williams, reverend who turned a church into a safe haven, dies aged 94

Longtime, legendary pastor of San Francisco’s Glide Memorial church was advocate for civil rights and social justice

Reverend Cecil Williams, the longtime head of a church that grew to international fame for being a safe haven for San Francisco’s most marginalized citizens, has passed away. He was 94 years old. He, alongside his wife and poet Janice Mirikitani, transformed Glide memorial church into an institution built on love and support for the city’s queer community and those struggling with homelessness and drug addiction. Mirikitani passed away in 2021 at 80.

Williams died Monday at his home in San Francisco surrounded by friends and family, Glide said in a statement. A cause of death was not given.