Bishop Hurley Bassett Sr.

BISHOP HURLEY BASSETT SR.

Cedar Rapids

Bishop Hurley Bassett Sr. was born Jan. 2, 1924, in Memphis, Tenn. He entered into eternal peace with the Lord on Oct. 2, 2017, at 5:35 a.m. in the home of his son, Pastor Hurley Bassett Jr.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mother Charlotte Marie Bassett, of

60 years; and daughter, Dr. Patricia Ann Bassett.

Surviving are seven children; Harold Bassett of Denver, Colo., Pastor Hurley Bassett Jr. of Cedar Rapids, Lovie Jean Bassett of Nashville, Tenn., Sy Bassett of Cedar Rapids, James Bassett of Kansas City, Mo., Roland Bassett of Houston, Texas, and Dr. Carolyn Rucker of Atlanta, Ga.; his 19 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

After serving in the Army during World War II, Bishop Hurley Bassett Sr. and Mother Bassett moved to Davenport, Iowa, from Memphis in June 1948, where they dedicated their lives to Christ under the leadership of their pastor, Bishop M.W. Goodman.

They moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1954 and established New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ in 1958 on the corner of 10th Avenue and Sixth Street SE. Once New Jerusalem was established, it signaled the flourishing of other Church of God in Christ in Cedar Rapids. For a brief period of time, he also was the shepherd of Shilliam Church of God in Christ in Waterloo, Iowa. In May 1968, the Lord blessed them to purchase a church from Hus Memorial Presbyterian at 631 Ninth Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids to further the gospel through their ministry. The city of Cedar Rapids recently designated this property as an historical site, which is significant to the history of Cedar Rapids.

In 1972, he was appointed jurisdictional bishop of the Iowa Jurisdiction and shortly after, he became pastor of East University Church of God in Christ in Des Moines, while continuing to pastor New Jerusalem in Cedar Rapids. Before being appointed jurisdictional bishop of Iowa, he held numerous positions, which include state YPWW president, state finance chairman, secretary and district superintendent. Bishop Hurley Bassett Sr. went on to be the longest-serving jurisdictional prelate Iowa has ever had. After 42 years of distinguished service as jurisdictional bishop, he was emeritized in 2014. Bishop Bassett was widely considered as one of the greatest gospel preachers in the Church of God in Christ. Bishop Bassett touched the lives of so many and will be sorely missed.

Bishop Hurley Bassett Sr. will lay in repose at New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. The local church and jurisdictional wake will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday at the same location. Home-going celebration will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at River of Life Church, 3801 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, 1221 First Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids.

Flowers and cards may be sent in care of New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ.