The South Carolina church massacre hit home for a Main Line man who grew up with the pastor killed in his own church along with eight others.
“We lost a great man in this society who could have done a lot more.”
That’s how Ardmore’s Anthony Stevenson spoke of South Carolina state senator and Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston pastor Rev. Clementa Pinckney.
Stevenson said he knew Pinckney his entire life – Pinckney used to spend summer’s on Stevenson’s family’s farm. Stevenson spoke to his cousin just two weeks ago. He said Pinckney practiced what he preached and treated everyone equally.
“Until our country, until we sit down as people and address the issues of differences and hate and bring people together, these things will continue,” said Stevenson. “Some of the things (Pinckney) said is that we will either learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools.”
Standing taller than 6-feet tall, Pinckney, 41, was a “gentle giant” who began his career preaching at just 13 years old and became a pastor at 18, said Stevenson.
“He had a very soothing and comforting approach to him,” said Stevenson. “
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Stevenson and eight others died when a white gunman opened fire inside the historically black church during a Wednesday night prayer meeting. Police arrested 21-year-old suspect Dylann Storm Roof Thursday morning in North Carolina and will return him to Charleston to face charges.
