Disciple: A Lasting Legacy

The new Togo D. West, Jr. and Evelyn West Memorial Pavilion serves St. Stephen’s and the community

The West family—Togo Senior, Evelyn and Togo Junior—were giants at St. Stephen’s, Winston-Salem, and in the wider Winston-Salem community. Evelyn West served as the organist and a powerful presence at the church for 40 years. She also taught at local Atkins High School, where Togo West, Sr., was the principal and from which their son, Togo Dennis West, Jr., graduated as valedictorian in 1959. From there, West went on to earn his Bachelor of Science and law degree from Howard University, where he also graduated first in his class and edited the law journal. An illustrious career in the military, law and government followed, including multiple positions in both the Ford and Carter administrations. His career culminated in service as the Secretary of the Army and, later, Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Bill Clinton.

Despite his long, accomplished career in Washington, D.C., West never forgot his roots at his mother’s church. Upon his death in 2018, St. Stephen’s received a call on behalf of West’s estate informing the church he left them $100,000, deferred earnings from his service on the board of Bristol Myers Squibb. With such a large donation backed by such a distinguished legacy of public service, the church had a serious decision to make.

[Image: The new Togo D. West, Jr. and Evelyn West Memorial Pavilion at St. Stephen’s, Winston-Salem, honors the legacy of the West family and serves as a resource for the church and community. Photos courtesy of St. Stephen’s, Winston-Salem]

Patrice Toney, St. Stephen’s treasurer and, at the time, Winston-Salem’s director of budget and evaluation, was the right person to discern how to use the bequest and to shepherd the project to completion. (By the time the project was completed, Toney had been promoted to assistant city manager.) She and West’s wife, Gail, discussed his interests and values, seeking how best to honor his legacy and to serve the church and community. Their discussion included his beloved Boy Scouts; during his life, West served on the organization’s National Executive Board, was named a Distinguished Eagle Scout and received the Silver Buffalo Award for his contributions. Ultimately, St. Stephen’s decided to use the funds to build a spacious pavilion on the grounds of the church. The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, presided over the dedication, and a local Boy Scout troop served as the color guard.

The finished pavilion will serve as a lasting legacy and a blessing to the church and community. Constructed of more durable materials than a traditional wood structure, the Togo D. West, Jr. and Evelyn West Memorial Pavilion is built to last. St. Stephen’s made a conscious decision not to install picnic tables in order to allow the space to be as flexible as possible. At 30 feet by 60 feet, the pavilion can accommodate 80-90 people in auditorium-style seating or be configured with banquet tables or for a standing event. Despite some construction challenges posed by COVID-19—including the temporary shutdown of one of the construction companies involved in the project—the pavilion came in under budget. The church plans to invest some of the extra funds in landscaping and signage honoring West and sharing his legacy with the community, and the remainder will support other capital projects.

“This pavilion represents the legacy of Togo West and his mother, Evelyn West, and will exist for the entirety of the church,” Toney explained. “It is a visible symbol in our community, in which they resided. Our church is in the eastern part of the community, what we call East Winston. It is a primarily African American part of the city, and we are a predominantly African American congregation. This is a place where he lived, this is a community where his parents worked, where he was educated. And so the physical location of this pavilion and what that represents—as people are driving by, seeing his name and what he accomplished in his life and his career—is a symbol of who he is, what he’s done and a permanent fixture now in our community.”

[Image: Lay leaders of St. Stephen’s, Winston-Salem, pose with Patrice Toney (third from left); the Rev. Hector Sintim; Gail West; her daughter, Hillary; and the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman during the dedication of the pavilion. Photos courtesy of St. Stephen’s, Winston-Salem]

The timing of the pavilion could not have been more fortuitous; as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, St. Stephen’s has used the structure for all of the church’s worship services since its dedication on July 7. The vestry also meets under the shelter, and the church plans to use it to host its annual family and friends event, which raises funds for the church’s capital campaign, and the Episcopal Church Women’s fall bazaar.

Already St. Stephen’s has received inquiries about using the pavilion from outside community groups, including a local dance troupe, the Boy Scouts and individuals who wish to host private events. The church currently is determining policies surrounding volunteers and restroom use in the building.

“Our saying in The Episcopal Church is, ‘All are welcome,’ and so this is a symbol that we want people to walk up and feel welcome,” Toney said. The pavilion is already accomplishing this goal. During a recent outdoor Sunday worship service, a woman who saw the service while driving by in her car stopped to join the congregation because she wanted to request prayers for her children. On another occasion, church members were eating in the pavilion when a man approached, and they immediately invited him to sit and share a meal.

While visitors enjoy the pavilion, Toney hopes they will take time to learn about Togo Dennis West, Jr.

“Having a new gathering place, outdoors, where people feel like there’s not these walls, and this is not an exclusive place where you have to knock on the door to come in, people feel welcome. Having Togo’s name on this building just has such positive imagery, of this man who came from this side of the community, made it to D.C., worked for President Bill Clinton—this symbolic piece for young people who don’t know him, they will ask.”

And what a story they will hear.

Summerlee Walter is the communications coordinator for the Diocese of North Carolina.