From Praise 104.7 FM
TBR — Chicago, IL — It is with a heavy heart that we inform our readers and listeners that the senior pastor of the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer, where Dr. Charles G. Hayes, also known to many as Father Charles Hayes, is the senior pastor, transitioned to be with the Lord this afternoon ( Wednesday, February 12, 2014th ) in Chicago.
Father Hayes has been a fixture in the Gospel Music Industry since the early sixties.
Pastor Charles George Hayes, the third child and second son of Mamie Lee and Will Hayes, was born December 10, 1937, in Verbena, Alabama. He received his primary education at Siluria Jr. High School (Alabama) and his secondary education at Prentice High School (Montevallo, Alabama). He migrated to Chicago, Illinois in 1955 and became a Church Musician.
Pastor Hayes was ordained in the Ministry on August 31, 1957. He organized Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer on April 28, 1959. Pastor Hayes was under the leadership of many great pioneers such as Prophet L. K. Johnson, Pastor Clarence Cobbs, Bishop Louis Boddie, Bishop Anderson, Pastor Franklin, and others.
Father of two, and grandfather, Pastor Hayes became affectionately known as “Father Hayes” because of his paternal qualities, his compassion, his concern for, and interest in people.
Dr. Hayes received his Doctorate Degree from Religious Science Institute in December 1973 and received an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from St. Martins College and Seminary, September, 1974.
Dr. Hayes was currently one of the longest serving Pastor of one church in Chicago for going on 55 years come April 2014. Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer has been listed as a landmark church in the Chicago Area.
Dr. Hayes was very passionate with is ministry, not compromising with the devil and is known for speaking the truth – declaring the word of God. He was very involved with every aspect of the church for he put his all into this ministry. He was rooted and grounded in “traditional” gospel and you could catch him singing, preaching, teaching and praying on any given Sunday , adding his humorous touch but still telling it like it is.
Dr. Hayes was known for ‘Making A Joyful Noise”, leading such hits as He’s Keeping Me, I’ll Never Forget, I Know The Lord Laid His Hands On Me, Before I Take It Back, Everything’s Alright, How I Got Over, My Lord and Master, and many, many more.
Honors and Awards
Key to City of Newark, New Jersey
July, 1974
Meritorious Service Ecumenical Rapport, Chicago, IllinoisSeptember, 1974
Commendation and Proclamation, “Dr. Charles G. Hayes
Day” – Board of Commissioners, Fulton County, GeorgiaJune, 1981
Honorary Citizen, Atlanta, GeorgiaJune, 1981
Mayor’s Award for Dedicated Service, Atlanta, GeorgiaJune, 1981
Key to City of Houston, TexasNovember, 1982
Outstanding Minister Award, Chicago, IllinoisApril, 1983
Key to City of Dallas, TexasJuly, 1983
Recognition for 25 Years of Service as Pastor, Chicago, IllinoisApril, 1984
Recognition for Devoted Service, Chicago, IllinoisMarch, 1985
Recognition for Workmanship of Team Efforts, Chicago, IllinoisAugust, 1985
First Recipient of Minister’s Achievement Award, Chicago, ILNovember, 1985
Gospel Music Workshop Award of ExcellenceNovember, 1985
Gospel Music Workshop Outstanding Contemporary ChoirNovember, 1985
Certificate of Appreciation, Chicago, IllinoisNovember, 1986
Recognition for Inspiration, Chicago. IllinoisJune, 1987
Proclamation, “Dr. Charles G. Hayes Day”, Louisville, KentuckyAugust, 1987
Filed under: Homegoing of a Saint
