BISHOP MATTIE B. HUBBARD
Bishop Mattie B. Hubbard, affectionately known as "Mother", was born in
Havelock North Carolina on April 13, 1918 to the late Lydia Benjamin and
George Benjamin. She was the seventh oldest of 11 children; 6 girls and 5
boys. As a young girl she was well guarded by her parents and was taught
how to care for herself and help with the family's daily chores. While
the family endured good times and some difficult times, all of the
children were taught independence, responsibility, humility and
strong family values at a very young age, Mother continued to demonstrate
those virtues during her lifetime and passed them on from one generation to the next.
Mother married the now deceased John Henry Hubbard. From that union they bore
two children, Helen, now deceased and Thomas. Some time afterward Mother
migrated to New York and found work at the famous Hotel Theresa in Harlem.
She often recalled the many celebrities and political figures she had
the opportunity to meet while working there including Malcolm X and Cassius
Clay. Following the closing of Hotel Theresa, Mother briefly worked at the
Columbia University until she realized that her work schedule conflicted
with the call to service that God placed upon her life. Mother was forced
to make a choice and she chose to follow Jesus Christ!
Mother was a member of Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc.,
Northeast District. She attended Congress beginning 1953 and continued as an
active participant until illness restricted her ability to travel to the annual
conferences. When she was able to attend. Mother played an active role in the
conference to include assisting with registration, teaching in the "Woman's'
Department" and serving Holy Communion.
Through her love for God, and the church. Mother continued to grow in grace,
wisdom and understanding of the word of God. She had a burning desire to preach
the "Good News" and embarked on many missionary journeys to share the gospel.
Not only did Mother accept God's call but she was obedient to His divine
instruction to build His church upon which Jesus Christ would be the church's
foundation of solid rock. While on a journey to Puerto Rico the Lord spoke to
Mother and gave her the name for the church which was to be found in Isaiah 9:6.
Bishop Mattie B, Hubbard founded the Prince of Peace Universal Tabernacle Church
on August 6, 1971 which, at that time was located at 274 W. 145th Street in New York.
On July 8, 1977 she moved the church to their own edifice at 555-57 W. 182nd
Street, New York where it remains open today.
It was through the church that God's purpose for Mother grew to fruition;
She preached and teached the Gospel, taught Sunday Bible School, developed a
music ministry and choir,, baptized believers in the Name of Jesus, developed
and instructed church boards visited and prayed for the sick, needy and destitute,
visited prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, cared for the homebound, fed the
hungry, taught ministers and ordained preachers. Mother accomplished all of
this while meeting the challenge of being a disciple maker during a time when
women preachers were not popular. She met and overcame those challenges knowing
that she could accomplish all things through the spirit of Jesus Christ who
strengthened her.
By way other unwavering faith, commitment and obedience to the will of God,
Bishop Mattie B Hubbard has surely found favor with our Creator. It was,
therefore. God's will to call from labor to reward, the soul of Mother
Hubbard on Monday, November 17, 2008. As much as she will be missed, her
passing is looked upon as the beginning of a new life.
Mother leaves to cherish her loving memory: her sisters, Ethel Richardson-
Brown of the Bronx, Bessie Davis of Beauford, North Carolina; grandchildren,
Carol, Diana and Apryl, great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and
a host of family, church family and friends, all of whom will remember her
famous words... "Bless your heart!"
