CAPE GIRARDEAU RESIDENT HONORED FOR HIS CAREER'S WORK IN OHIO

The Rev. Mr. Charles Johnson returned home recently to accept an award for the work he did there before retiring.

Johnson, who lives in Cape Girardeau, spent more than 30 years working for the Catholic Church in the Glenville-Hough neighborhood of Cleveland.

Following retirement, Johnson headed for warmer temperatures of Cape Girardeau where he works part-time as a bagger at Schnucks Market.

Although Johnson owned his own barbershop, he served as executive director for a neighborhood center that ministered to the needs of youth, the elderly, and the poor.

When Johnson retired from the Martin DePorres Center in Cleveland, he was honored with his own special day.

Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White declared "The Rev. Mr. Charles O. Johnson Sr. Day" in the city for "providing leadership, guidance and service to the area's poor and needy, and ministering to people on a daily basis for 20 years."

During his two decades at the center, Johnson headed and carried out a $2 million renovation and expansion campaign that resulted in the center's move from a couple of storefronts to the St. Agatha Church Building on East 123rd Street.

It was with some surprise that Johnson opened a letter from the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver Council and Court 227 from Cleveland earlier this year.

"You have been nominated to be a recipient of the Archbishop James P. Lyke African Male Image Award," sponsored by the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver Council and Court, oldest African American Catholic organization in the nation.

Johnson attended the Feb. 19 awards conference, held in the grand ballroom of the Holiday Inn Lakeside, in downtown Cleveland, and he emerged with the second annual Lyke award.

"This was a great surprise," said Johnson, who had known and worked with Archbishop Lyke in Cleveland. "The honor really meant a lot to me."

Archbishop Lyke was a Franciscan priest for 26 years. In 1979, Pope John Paul II named him auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland. Later, Lyke was appointed Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the highest ranking black bishop in the United States.

While in Cleveland, Archbishop Lyke worked with various churches and community groups, including the Martin Center where Johnson was serving as director.

"I used to cut Archbishop Lyke's hair," Johnson said, "and I had the honor of working with him."

It was with the help of the Cleveland Diocese and the City of Cleveland and various foundations and corporations that the Martin Center was improved and stands in the 123rd Street community as a "beacon" serving the needs of the poor and providing programs for youth and the elderly.

Johnson is an awesome man," said Dennis Marchi, manager of the Schnucks store in Cape Girardeau where Johnson can be found sacking groceries about 20 hours a week.

"He has great work ethics, and he likes to chat with customers," said Marchi.

Johnson joined Schnucks in October and is called "Reverend" by those who know him, said Marchi.

Johnson says he enjoys his job. As a member of the American Legion, he also volunteers some time at the Missouri Veterans Center.

Johnson was ordained in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland in 1973 and was assigned to his home parish.

"I was one of the few married men to be ordained at that time," he said, thus the reason for the title, "The Rev. Mr. Johnson."

Johnson has received other honors for his life's work.

In 1993, Ohio Gov. George V. Voinovich issued a special recognition plaque to Johnson, recognizing him for his dedicated efforts of 20 years at St. Aloysius.

He has also been honored by the Ohio State General Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives.