Pastor Leo Trotter

A Glimpse of Life 

Pastor Leo Trotter the Founder & Pastor of Revelation Church of God in Christ has taken his final trip, and it is to be with the Lord. On June 24, 2024 Elder Leo Trotter was taken into glory from the place where God had shown him where he would spend his last days.  Elder Leo as he was fondly called was born on April 7, 1937 in Vossburg, Mississippi to Milton and Theola Trotter.  Elder Leo was educated in Wayne County Mississippi school system.  At age 16 he began to work on the oil rigs, and in the Lumber yard in Mississippi to help support his family.  He learned at an early age what it meant to take care of family.  

Elder Leo moved to Albany, NY in 1957, and became a member of Eld. Parsons church than to St. John’s COGIC on Green St. in Albany, NY under the leadership of Eld. John Johnson.  

Elder Leo met and married Sarah Lee Franklin in 1959.  To this union 4 children were born, Leona D. Trotter-Bellamy, Steven G., Leo M., Sharon L. Trotter.

He was ordained as an Elder in 1966 under Bishop O.M. Kelly, and then again under Bishop L.R. Anderson of Western NY.  In 1970 Eld. Leo became the 1st Assistant Pastor of St. John’s C.O.G.I.C.  Elder Leo felt the call of the Lord to establish a ministry in 1979.  

Without money or members, Elder Leo Trotter stepped out on faith and made his first attempt to establish a church.  Elder Leo Trotter held the first services in a house that was owned by him at 254 Orange Street.  The house at the time was being occupied by his eldest daughter, Leona.  The services were held in her living room for several months.

During the birthing of Revelation some of the church members were Thelma Terrell, Lucy McNeal, Ora Mae Trotter and family, Sherry Trotter, Leona Trotter and Leo Trotter.  Elder Leo Trotter’s desire was to see his family members in church, and to impact his community.

On, October 26, 1979, Elder Leo Trotter and the Revelation Church family purchased the building located at 248 Orange Street, which was the home of Christian Memorial Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Elder Charles Guthrie.  By faith Revelation Church of God in Christ moved from 254 Orange Street to 248 Orange Street on December 12, 1979.

God gave Elder Leo Trotter a plan to have a building fund drive for three months.  At the end of the three month drive the mortgage was paid in full.  

During the time the Revelation church family was at 248 Orange Street, Elder Leo Trotter had a dream and a vision from God, because without a vision the people will perish.  Elder Leo Trotter’s dream and vision from God was to take on the task to continue the work of God’s perfect plan.  This vision included the building of a new edifice for Revelation, a refuge for battered women, and a day care center. 

In 1995 Revelation purchased property that was damaged by fire at 258 and 260 Orange Street.  God gave Elder Leo Trotter the vision to combine the two buildings for a new edifice.  The work began in 1995 and was completed in 2002.  On December 31, 2002, Revelation church family held their first service in the new edifice.  On Sunday, April 27, 2003, Bishop Leroy Anderson dedicated the new building.  On October 8, 2000, Elder Leo Trotter received a letter from the Mayor Gerald Jennings thanking Pastor Trotter and the Revelation congregation.   Mayor Jennings stated “You are to be commended for the wonderful job you have been doing for the church and its congregation for many years.  We are proud of the new church that you have built from the old buildings on Orange Street and cleaning up the lots next door”.

Elder Leo Trotter has always been a man who looked out for others.  He cared about people who had less than he.  From 1999-2003 the former Revelation church was used for the Revelation Day care that was developed and run by license childcare providers of the church for mothers that had limited funds for childcare.  In 2000-2004 Elder Leo, with the help of Evangelist Ernestine Johnson opened The Woodard House.  The Woodard House was a 12-bed home for battered women.  Their motto was “The home where new life begins.” This was located in the Sheridan Hollow Community.   

There were a number of children that were coming to Revelation Church. Elder Leo Trotter and his Grand-daughter Leshelle came up with a summer program for low-income families. Camp Revelation was created in 2011 for children ages 3-12 and ran from July 5th-August 20, 2011. The program provided 2 free meals, snacks and activities throughout the day. 

Elder Leo Trotter would watch the children that would come to church on Tuesday, and Friday for Bible class and activities and saw something was missing.  Elder Leo Trotter and some of the ladies of Revelation decided to provide the children with an evening meal before they went home.   Elder Leo Trotter decided to start having dinner every 3rd Sunday’s because it is youth Sunday due to the number of children that were coming to church.  Third Sunday dinner has now been served for the past 10 years.  Any and everyone are welcome to come and have a free meal.  Revelation had been feeding at least 20 – 30 people every 3rd Sunday of the month.

Revelation church has held numerous community events, such as a Food pantry from 1995-1998.  An after-school program helping children with their homework and other activities.  Block parties; Halloween parties; Clothing, food and furniture give a way.  They held a Thanksgiving and Christmas community dinner.  Revelation is also, a distribution center for the Toys for Tots program for more than 20 years.  Eld. Leo was the longest running Pastor in the Albany area.  This year would have been Pastor Leo Trotter’s 45th Pastoral Anniversary.

Elder Leo Trotter is a man of great compassion, wisdom, and love.  He makes sure that Revelation Housing keeps their rent affordable where people can manage and live.

It is clear that by observation, that Revelation Church of God in Christ is the church where everybody is somebody.  They are “the spot on the block”. 

In April 2018, from the corner of Clinton Ave down Dove St. to Sheridan Ave. were named the “Rev Leo Trotter Way”.

Elder Leo was a Master Chef at Joe’s Cater’s, for over 27years, where he catered numerous parties, at the Governors Mansion, for Governor Rockefeller, and numerous Senators and members of the Legislative party. In 1983 Eld. Leo started his own catering service called “Leo’s Cater’s.  Afterwards he worked at Platt’s catering service for 20 more years before retiring.  

Elder Leo had several hobbies, he was an avid fisherman, hunter with a bow or gun.  He loved gardening, carpentry, electrician, roofer, and a designer.  He has a numerous trinkets that he has visions to make. Anything that came to his mind to make he made. and his number one favorite was traveling and spending time in his home state of Mississippi.  He loved all kinds of music and played the guitar, harmonica, and the piano, and cymbals.

Elder Leo Trotter was preceded in death by his Father Milton and Mother Theola Trotter, Wife Sarah L. Trotter, one son Steven G. Trotter, son-in law Russell A. Bellamy.  7 brothers George, Milton (Julia), Harold known as Fred Albert (Floy), John, Matt (Beulah), Pailey (Nancy), Julian (Lula) Trotter.  9 sisters Henriola Trotter, Willie Mae Trotter-Gilmore (Ervin), Mamie Cooley (SJ), Pansy Jones (Emmitt), Thelma Lee Trotter, Mary Eloise Trotter, Marie Graham (Fred), Vera Johnson (Dan), Lillie Latham (Oscar).

Pastor Elder Leo Trotter leaves to cherish precious memories 3 children Leona D. Trotter-Bellamy, Leo M. Trotter, Sharon L. Trotter,  8 Grandchildren Russell A, Jr. (Colleen) Bellamy, Lorraine D. Bellamy-Taylor (Shavon), Randall A. Bellamy (Wynetta), Leshelle D. Bellamy, Latavia Trotter, Rashawn Trotter, Shontel Trotter and Riniqua Chavers. Honorary granddaughter Shera Boyd.  10 Great grandchildren Anyah, Laliani, Roman, Randall, Jr, Ryhs, Latryce Bellamy, Jaymire Serrano, Kaylanna Serrano, Sahmya Kamara, Jahmye Trotter.  Honorary 5 great grandchildren Nekhi (Brianna), Yvonne, Neveah, Kyla, Samone Boyd.  1 Great great grandchild Logan Boyd.  1 sister Gertrude Graham (Randall). God-children T. Tammy Thomas, & Qwe-Anna Otero.  Many, many friends,nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives.  Elder Leo was a father, grandfather, and Uncle to many that had none.  Pastor Leo Trotter will be missed greatly by all.

(His words to live by)

“I love the Lord because loved me first”

“ God has been good to us”

From Pastor Leo’s Children

As we watched the last days of your suffering come to an end, God said that’s enough.  He sent His comforting Angle said no more suffering time to come on home.

We are forever grateful for the things in this life you taught us and the life we lived with you.

You may be gone from this world, but you will always be in our hearts and on our minds!

We love you Dad!

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