In 1968, as the Civil Rights Movement roiled Chicago and just after the Second Vatican council made changes to the church, Father Rollins Lambert became Chicago’s first black pastor—at St. Dorothy’s on the South Side. But some black Catholics protested his appointment because they wanted to see activist priest George Clements take the post. Lambert died late last month, and Richard Steele checked in with his friend Father Clements.

A funeral mass for Father Rollins Lambert is planned for this Saturday at 11 at Holy Family Villa in Palos Park.

Music Button: Dave Brubeck, “Spring Is Here”, from the CD Indian Summer, (Telarc records)