Rev. Robert Kirk Sr.

Robert Kirk, Sr. transitioned to the church triumphant on February 21, 2023 after 100 years of life.    Robert was born on June 11, 1922 to the parents of Henry and Willie Mae Kirk in Halls Chapel, TN.  He graduated from Bruce High School, received his Bachelor degree from Tennessee State University and Masters from Indiana University.   On May 18th, 1947, he married Rachel Wilson.  To this union 6 children were added: Willie Doris Chambers, Robert Kirk Jr, Barbara L. Harris, Benjamin A. Kirk, Bernard H Kirk and Brenda M. Kirk.  Upon disillusion of 34 years of marriage, he was later married Mary E. Kirk for 13 years.                                                 

Robert went into the military in combat in 1942.  Robert served in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1946.  He served as a sergeant in WWII, deployed on D-day to France and was favored by God to be on a ship that was detained by his colonel for 26 days before landing.  God had a plan for his life. 

Upon his honorable discharge,  Robert and his family first resided in South Bend, IN and later resided in Bloomington, IN, where he attended Indiana University.  After receiving his Masters in Education, he began his passion to help young people in social work as a school counselor for three Indiana school systems throughout his life:  Monroe County Schools in Bloomington, Greater Clark County schools in Jeffersonville and Kokomo School system. 

Robert Sr. joined and became an active member of Olivet AME Church in South Bend, IN.  It was in 1953, while attending Bethel AME church in Bloomington, IN, under the pastorate of Rev. Benjamin Brooks that he was called into the ministry and began his  ministerial journey in 1957.  He immediately was asked to pastor at Wayman Chapel and Lyles Station and remained there as pastor until 1960 when he was ordained itinerant elder under the hand of Bishop Joseph Gomez.  

Robert Sr’s pastoral journey continued at Bethel Bloomington(1960-69), Bethel Jeffersonville (1969-77), simultaneously pastoring St. Paul AME in Corydon, IN for 3 years, Wayman Chapel Kokomo (1977-90) and Turner Chapel Ft Wayne (1990-91).  It was at the 1991 Indiana Annual conference where Rev. Kirk was appointed the Indiana South District Presiding Elder  under the hand of Bishop James Hasko Mayo.  He served as Presiding Elder until his retirement in 2004.  He began attending General Conference as a Lay member in 1952 and continued attending every general conference from that time on as alternate and later delegate to every General Conference from 1960 until his health kept him from traveling.  He was privileged to be a Presiding Elder of the General Conference in 2004 in Indianapolis, IN.

The gifts and graces God gave to Rev. Kirk were demonstrated throughout his years of pastoring in two distinct areas: growing churches and getting young people to obtain a higher level of education past high school.

While pastoring at Bethel Jeffersonville, a new building was purchased for the congregation’s worship services.  While still pastoring there, he was also able to complete the construction of the sanctuary for St. Paul AME in Corydon. 

During his pastoring at Wayman Chapel Kokomo, he was gifted by guiding the congregation in building a beautiful edifice and basement for the growing membership.

Rev. Kirk was a great mentor for higher education for youth.  He always did whatever it took to give young people the opportunity to have a higher education in life.   He started with the Upward Bound Program at 

Indiana University, driving students to college  campuses across the state -not wanting them to miss their opportunity- because their parents couldn’t.

He continued, until his time of departure, to continue keeping funds available to students for their higher education as he became the founder and coordinator of the Mildred Clift Scholarship Program that is through Bethel AME church in Jeffersonville. 

Rev. Kirk worked extensively in the community for ecumenical churches in the area.  He served on many civic committees: The NAACP, president of the Council of Churches then became the president of IPCUM in Indianapolis, just to name a few. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, all of his siblings:  Catherine Jarrett, Henry Hodges(Jack), Bennie James(Buck), John Wesley, Dona Monroe, Billy William(BW); daughter: Willie Doris Chambers, daughter-in-law: Arlene Bradley Kirk,  son-in-law: Venard Chambers; granddaughter, Kamilah Kirk, nephew, Joseph Jarrett, and nieces Wilda Jones and Genora Jarrett..

He is survived by 3 sons: Robert Jr. (Diana), Benjamin A Kirk, Bernard H. Kirk; 2 daughters: Barbara L. Harris and Brenda M. Kirk, 12 grandchildren: Venita Roberts (Paul), Valerie Goodall (Robert),  Vikki Hunter (Herb),  Maisha Humphrey, Robert Michael, Chemberli Cline Smith (Paris), Cecily Cline Walton (John), R. Jeanine Harris, James A. Harris (Kelsey), Jessica M. Harris, Tylia Kirk, Olivia Kirk, 18 great-grandchildren and many wonderful grand nieces and nephews, great grand nieces and nephews.

When asked how he was doing, his response was always, “I think I’m gonna make it”.  

HE MADE IT!

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