For God and country
1976 Abbey graduate, Lowell Mayor Pro Tem stays close to his roots in political, ministerial work
Lowell, politics and faith have always been a part of Rev. Thomas S. Gillespie’s lifetime mission.
The town’s current Mayor Pro Tem and Gaston minister graduated from Belmont Abbey College in 1976 after transferring from Gaston College, but he still has memories of Fr. (later Abbot) Oscar Burnett, OSB, and others.
That time at the Abbey was formative.
“When I got (to the Abbey), it was one of the greatest experiences,” Gillespie said. “I never dreamed I would go to a 4-year school.”
He credits the late recruiter Ted Eskildsen with bringing him to Belmont Abbey.
“He talked to me. I didn’t know what the plan was, but he invited me to come,” Gillespie said.
It was through Eskildsen’s help and government assistance that Gillespie became a student. Gillespie remembers the Abbey community as welcoming, though one thing stood out.
With few Black students at the college “everyone asked me if I was on the basketball team,” he said.
Another fond memory came in the form of a beach trip. Gillespie remembers the Abbey having a beach house and Burnett getting him to go on a retreat with other students. Gillespie said Burnett loved students whether they were black or white.
Life in Lowell and beyond
With a pre-law degree in hand, Gillespie, however, turned to the family business -- the ministry. He has served as a pastor at a few area churches, but remained active in the political arena with his involvement in Lowell’s city council.
In his second opportunity as Mayor Pro Tem, the lifelong Democrat served off and on for 20 years in the city council. Recently, he’s worked to bring business to town.
Gillespie said he’s proud of his efforts to bring community block grants to families, helping the many repair their homes. He’s also happy to have help in the efforts of bringing Echo Park and Sonic Automotive to town. North Point, an Amazon-like company, has also come to the area with the promise of 3,000 Gaston County jobs.
But, it’s the little things that Gillespie may be known best for.
“He's been a stalwart for Lowell for decades,” Gaston County Senior Democrats president Nancy Moore said. “Both on the council and as a Democratic activist. He always greets you with a big smile.”
A lifelong learner, Gillespie received training from the Southern Baptist Seminary Extension and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Gardner-Webb University in 2013. Recently, he also became the newest moderator of the Gaston County Missionary Baptist Association.
Along the way, he’s shown some of his creative talents. He wrote a patriotic song named “America, My Hometown.” He’s written a couple of screenplays and a self-published book called “Messiah’s Witness.”
His take on public service is that it’s been a privilege to serve, one that he hopes he could build beyond his hometown.
“It’s been very rewarding,” Gillespie said. “To be honest with you, whether you are white, black, Latino, to be effective, you have to have a seat at the table…”
“I want to go higher in politics. I’ve paid my dues. I would like to go to a federal office one day,” he said.
That plan may again start locally after the three years that he has left on his current 4-year term.
“I need to start looking at the county level like with the county commissioners,” Gillespie said. “If I can get to the county level, then I can start eyeing the federal level.”
Politics are local
Gaston’s Democrats may be rethinking and reorganizing their support for their leaders according to Gillespie. A recent move by Sheriff Alan Cloninger, a longtime Gaston County figure, over the local protesting ordinance has bothered some.
“There are a lot of African-Americans locally that are totally disappointed with Cloninger because he’s presented a bill to the county commissioners saying that (local protestors) would have to a 30-day notice around the confederate statue (in front of the Gaston County Courthouse). They are really put out by him and I know this for a fact. It’s a $250 fine. It didn’t pass. This is not a good thing for Cloninger.
“It needs to come down. It’s been there so long I’ve given it a name. It’s name is Johnny Rebel. It’s got to go," Gillespie said. “A lot of African-Americans, (Gaston County) Freedom Fighters and groups are disappointed he would come up with a resolution like that.”
Recent protests at Tony’s Ice Cream in Gastonia after George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis have also taken a toll on the community.
“I think Tony’s got a bad deal,” Gillespie said. “I go to Tony’s, I love Tony’s, they’ve always been nice to me. I’ve always respected Tony’s. I’m not sure that the facts came out that Tony did anything wrong. Tony’s may have gotten a bad deal out of that.”
Gillespie knows that bringing both sides together will be a challenge in light of the nation’s racial strife at the moment.
“I think there’s a whole lot that could be done. I think they need to form, with elected officials, a committee to talk openly about race relationships in Gaston County. Blacks and whites need to come together to talk about this.”
Back to the Abbey
Gillespie’s familiar with race relations at the Abbey, both as a student and a local resident for years.
Before attending the Abbey, Gillespie had heard about the 1969 Science Building takeover. He didn’t agree with the students’ method, calling the takeover “dramatic.” He’s also pleased with Abbey president William Theirfelder work at the college over the years.
But he’s open to seeing the school and the protesting students come together.
“I think that it would be a wonderful gesture if Belmont Abbey would reach out to those protestors,” Gillespie said. “I think that, being a pastor, there’s a saying ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.’ Certainly, Belmont Abbey College is represented by children of God. If they would reach out, hopefully the former protestors would respond in kind and accept that invitation. I would love to go and sit at a dinner and see the progress (both sides) could make in reconciling with each other.”