Revels sculptor earns award of merit

By Roscoe Barnes III
Special to The Natchez Democrat 

Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church of Natchez, Miss., celebrated the legacy of Hiram Rhodes Revels with a bust in his hoor during an unveiling ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. From Left are Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson; Harold Woodson Jr., great-great-grandson of Hiram Revels; Rev. Birdon Mitchell, pastor of Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church; and Bob Willis, sculptor of Edmond, Okla. Revels was the first African American to serve int he U.S. Congress. He also was an early pastor of Zion Chapel and the first president of Alcorn State University.

Note: This story was published on page 3A in the Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, issue of The Natchez Democrat (Natchez, Miss.). For more information, visit NatchezDemocrat.com.

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Oklahoma sculptor Bob Willis has been named a winner of an Award of Merit for his bust of Hiram Rhodes Revels, which he sculpted for Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church in September 2023, announced Brother Rogers, secretary-treasurer of the Mississippi Historical Society. Rogers made the announcement on Friday, Jan. 5.
 
“The Mississippi Historical Society is grateful to Bob Willis for his sculpture of Hiram Rhodes Revels, who as the first African American U.S. senator is significant not just in Mississippi history, but in American history,” he said.
 
Awards of Merit are presented annually by the Mississippi Historical Society to individuals or organizations for their outstanding archival, museum, or media interpretation work.
 
Willis said he was surprised to learn about the award.
 
“I am truly humbled to receive this award from the Mississippi Historical Society,” he said, noting he was deeply moved by the news. “Sculpting the bust of Hiram Rhodes Revels was a project to capture a very significant person in the rich history of Natchez, the State of Mississippi, and America. His example of dedication and service to our country is something that needs to be recognized and honored.”
 
The bust of Revels was commissioned by Zion Chapel and Visit Natchez. The church unveiled the bust during a September 30 ceremony that drew more than 70 people, including several descendants of Revels, as well as Mississippi State Senators Robert Johnson and Albert Butler, and Mayor Dan Gibson.
 
“I can think of no one more deserving than Bob Willis for this high honor,” said Mayor Gibson. “Mr. Willis is not only a talented sculptor but a man who has a heart for people and for making sure we celebrate the history and contributions of all.
 
“This bust, portraying the great Hiram Revels, is a contribution not just to Zion Chapel where Senator Revels served as an early pastor, but a contribution to all citizens of Natchez who take pride in the heroic achievements of this great American. And we are very grateful to Mr. Willis for sharing his talent in such a selfless way.”
 
Norma West, who directed the unveiling ceremony, said the honor was well deserved. “We were excited to learn about this recognition given to Mr. Willis,” she said. “The bust he sculpted of Hiram Revels is truly amazing.”
 
The Rev. Birdon Mitchell, pastor of Zion Chapel, shared similar remarks: “As I said last year, we were all ecstatic that Hiram Revels, a former pastor of our church, the first president of Alcorn College, and the first person of color to serve in the United State Senate, was being recognized in our community through this great work of art.”
 
Mitchell said he is proud of Willis and very pleased to see his work being recognized by the Mississippi Historical Society.
 
Recipients of the Awards of Merit will be formally announced at the annual meeting of the Mississippi Historical Society that will take place on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 22 and 23, 2024, at The Inn at Ole Miss in Oxford.
 
The awards will be presented at the Awards Luncheon at 12:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 23. Willis is invited to attend the luncheon.