Keeper of the Faith
For some 48 years, anyone coming to events at Sisters Chapel on the Spelman College campus in Atlanta was sure to encounter the Rev. Norman Rates, the college minister. Since his arrival in 1954, few could miss his smile and friendly countenance, or his joyful chuckle. For those many years he has served in various capacities from professor of religion, to college minister, to dean of the Chapel.
He certainly can be deemed the “Keeper of the Faith” on the campus, as he played a prominent role in assuring that the Chapel was restored and preserved during a campaign in 2000.
Norman M. Rates
Since 1954, Rev. Rates and Sisters Chapel have played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, the development of the College’s rich musical legacy, and so many other transformative experiences.
Testimonials
When I tell you Women of the Bible was one of the hardest classes I took! Those handwritten fill in the blank tests still give me nightmares!
Rev Rates was truly a man of God! His demeanor was consistently jovial, gentle and sincere. I was one of his many students in his All the Women of the Bible class. He made each woman in the discussion very interesting and inspired a natural curiosity for me to explore more. Whether in the classroom, the cafeteria, walking across campus or in Sisters Chapel, he always made me feel seen. Seeing him whenever I returned to campus always gave me a sense of calm and security.
In 1972, Rev. Rates took me under his wing. It started with him asking me to be an usher for our required Tuesday Chapel and then to being a candle snuffer at the Annual Christmas Carol Concert. He was so gentle and “fatherly”! When he spoke, I hung on every word! He then, introduced me to a returning Merrill Scholar (his mentee). I was trusted to babysit for the Rates! I had arrived!
I remember Dr Rates as a consummate professor, leader and clergyman. As a professor he was absolutely thorough. I still remember how he explained hermeneutics of the Old and New Testament courses at Spelman. At that time I had absolutely no idea I would eventually be a seminary professor! However, it was a conversation we had years after my graduation that meant so much to me. I had earned my PhD and was needing some wisdom on entering the academy and teaching. He gladly met with me on Spelman’s campus, he shared some of his experiences. He shared pitfalls to avoid. He encouraged and affirmed me. He prayed with me. I am eternally grateful for Dr Norman Rates.
Rev. and Mrs. Rates were quite special to me. I started as one of your first babysitters and kept in touch with your family throughout my years at Spelman. After my graduation, I returned to Chicago where your Aunt Lillie lived. Whenever your family came to visit her, they would let me know and, when possible, they would visit my husband and me. Your parents were wonderful role models for me and all my schoolmates. There’s a bit about me in his book.
Whenever I think of Rev. Norman Rates, GRACE comes to mind. He was a rare mixture of brilliance, wisdom, and intellect combined with a warm, friendly, personable countenance. Since I grew up on Spelman’s campus, I don’t really remember a time when I didn’t know the entire wonderful Rates family. Once I became a student, I got to see Rev. Rates almost daily and “really” got to know him. I could always count on him for an answer to one of my burning religious questions or we could just “chew the fat” about anything that was happening. He had a great sense of humor and we laughed a lot. I had one Religion course from him, because Spelman made me, but it turned out to be one of my most enjoyable experiences. Don’t get me wrong; it was not easy. But it challenged me and made me better. Five years after graduation, when I was getting married, I said to my mom, “I have to ask Rev. Rates if he will participate”. It just felt right. And he blessed me by consenting. So, I have an additional memory of him. What a man….and what an honor for me, that I knew him.
When I tell you Women of the Bible was one of the hardest classes I took! Those handwritten fill in the blank tests still give me nightmares!
Rev Rates was truly a man of God! His demeanor was consistently jovial, gentle and sincere. I was one of his many students in his All the Women of the Bible class. He made each woman in the discussion very interesting and inspired a natural curiosity for me to explore more. Whether in the classroom, the cafeteria, walking across campus or in Sisters Chapel, he always made me feel seen. Seeing him whenever I returned to campus always gave me a sense of calm and security.
In 1972, Rev. Rates took me under his wing. It started with him asking me to be an usher for our required Tuesday Chapel and then to being a candle snuffer at the Annual Christmas Carol Concert. He was so gentle and “fatherly”! When he spoke, I hung on every word! He then, introduced me to a returning Merrill Scholar (his mentee). I was trusted to babysit for the Rates! I had arrived!
I remember Dr Rates as a consummate professor, leader and clergyman. As a professor he was absolutely thorough. I still remember how he explained hermeneutics of the Old and New Testament courses at Spelman. At that time I had absolutely no idea I would eventually be a seminary professor! However, it was a conversation we had years after my graduation that meant so much to me. I had earned my PhD and was needing some wisdom on entering the academy and teaching. He gladly met with me on Spelman’s campus, he shared some of his experiences. He shared pitfalls to avoid. He encouraged and affirmed me. He prayed with me. I am eternally grateful for Dr Norman Rates.
Rev. and Mrs. Rates were quite special to me. I started as one of your first babysitters and kept in touch with your family throughout my years at Spelman. After my graduation, I returned to Chicago where your Aunt Lillie lived. Whenever your family came to visit her, they would let me know and, when possible, they would visit my husband and me. Your parents were wonderful role models for me and all my schoolmates. There’s a bit about me in his book.
Whenever I think of Rev. Norman Rates, GRACE comes to mind. He was a rare mixture of brilliance, wisdom, and intellect combined with a warm, friendly, personable countenance. Since I grew up on Spelman’s campus, I don’t really remember a time when I didn’t know the entire wonderful Rates family. Once I became a student, I got to see Rev. Rates almost daily and “really” got to know him. I could always count on him for an answer to one of my burning religious questions or we could just “chew the fat” about anything that was happening. He had a great sense of humor and we laughed a lot. I had one Religion course from him, because Spelman made me, but it turned out to be one of my most enjoyable experiences. Don’t get me wrong; it was not easy. But it challenged me and made me better. Five years after graduation, when I was getting married, I said to my mom, “I have to ask Rev. Rates if he will participate”. It just felt right. And he blessed me by consenting. So, I have an additional memory of him. What a man….and what an honor for me, that I knew him.