REV. DR. HENRY O. HARDY
By Andrea Smith,
Chicago Crusader
Contributing Journalist
Cosmopolitan Community Church Honors Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Henry O. Hardy
Rev. Dr. Henry O. Hardy has spent nearly nine decades embodying the spirit of steadfast faith, dynamic leadership, and community advocacy. A spiritually anointed and resolutely dedicated servant of God, Rev. Hardy has devoted his life to advancing relatable and righteous religious messages for today’s and future generations of believers.
His transformational ministry and inspirational impact have reached far beyond Chicago, extending throughout Illinois, across the nation, and into the global religious community. A widely respected pastoral figure, Rev. Hardy is celebrated as a powerhouse preacher, a master of the Bible, an acclaimed spiritual leader, and a profound social activist whose commitment to both church and community remains unparalleled.
For 47 years, Rev. Hardy served as senior pastor of the historic Cosmopolitan Community Church, located at 5249 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Under his leadership, the church became a beacon of faith, resilience, and civic engagement. Today, he continues to serve as the church’s beloved Pastor Emeritus, offering wisdom and encouragement to new generations of leaders and parishioners.
Founded in 1928, Cosmopolitan Community Church holds a rich legacy as one of the early strongholds for Black spiritual life and activism in Chicago. Its original founding purpose was not only to spread the gospel but also to offer hope, advocacy, and opportunity for African Americans migrating from the South during the Great Migration.
Rev. Hardy’s profound belief in the transformative power of Chicago’s Black community has shaped his work as a theologian, author, and speaker. His books, including Becoming, Reason-N-Rap, and the more recent Trump, Tumult & Transcendence: Poetic Musings 2020 to 2021, reflect his keen understanding of America’s evolving social and political landscape. Through his writing, he masterfully interprets the tumult of the times while reaffirming the enduring relevance of faith.
“He’s truly a God-inspired genius, able to turn the darkness of the world’s issues into light within the hearts and minds of our parishioners,” said Rev. Dr. Eric D. Clopton Sr., current pastor of Cosmopolitan Community Church.
In keeping with the Black church tradition of honoring its trailblazers while they can enjoy their flowers, Cosmopolitan Community Church will host a celebration of Rev. Hardy’s life and legacy. His 88th birthday will be commemorated during a service on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. Bishop Larry Trotter of Sweet Holy Spirit Church will be the guest speaker. For more information, attendees are encouraged to contact Cosmopolitan member Gladys Hardnick Bouyer at 773-805-2061.
Throughout his ministry, Rev. Hardy has not only preached the gospel but has also actively combated social, economic, and political injustices affecting marginalized communities in Chicago and beyond. He previously served as “The Voice of P.U.S.H.” on WVON radio, anchoring a popular weekly broadcast that provided a platform for critical discussions on social justice issues. As chair of the Operation PUSH–CBS-TV News Negotiation Team, Rev. Hardy played a pivotal role in demanding and securing increased representation of Black journalists on Chicago television news broadcasts.
“My advocacy-oriented economic development priorities involved strong encouragement of the Black community’s amplified participatory banking in minority-owned banks and the expanded use of minority products and services within local Chicago-area major government, nonprofit, and corporate business sectors,” Rev. Hardy said.
Rev. Hardy’s community affiliations are as broad as they are impressive. He has served as a board member of the Broadcast Ministers Alliance, the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Church Federation of Greater Chicago, the YMCA, and Operation PUSH’s National Rainbow Coalition. He has been affiliated with One Church/One Child, Sigma Delta Chi (the professional journalism fraternity), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the South Side Branch of the NAACP as a former second vice president, and the Executive Committee of Concerned Citizens for Police Reform.
His work has always been rooted in advancing public policies that protect vulnerable populations, securing social justice reforms, expanding economic opportunities, and developing real solutions to violence in Chicago’s often underserved neighborhoods.
Rev. Hardy’s life has been an extraordinary testament to the possibilities unlocked by faith, resilience, and unwavering commitment to service. His leadership at Cosmopolitan Community Church not only strengthened the spiritual lives of his parishioners but also established the church as a trusted institution in the fight for racial and economic justice.
“I join the entire Cosmopolitan Community Church membership in joyously expressing our firm intentional promise that we will always revere Rev. Hardy for his multiple decades of consistent inspiration and sincere support of my emerging pastoral leadership,” Rev. Clopton said. “Today, he remains a major force to be reckoned with among diverse groups of faith believers, as well as on a variety of social media and other platforms.”
Rev. Dr. Henry O. Hardy’s spiritual diplomacy and his unwavering defense of the sacred word of God have uplifted countless souls across generations. His authenticity, humility, and tireless devotion will continue to serve as a profound blessing to the City of Chicago and to believers everywhere.