Longtime Baptist pastor of Logan Square church resigns after admitting to sex abuse in the ’60s

A longtime pastor at Baptist church in Logan Square resigned after admitting to sexually abusing a minor in the ’60s.

Charles Lyons, who’s been pastor of Armitage Baptist Church since 1974, resigned from his role on July 31, according to a report from the Illinois Baptist State Association, in which Armitage is a member church.

Lyons’ resignation followed what church leaders called a “corrective leave of absence” that started in October 2018, according to the ISBA.

Lyons disclosed the long-term abuse to church leaders in October 2017, according to the ISBE. Relatives of the victim then reported it in April 2018. Criminal charges have not been filed.

Lyons then paid for the victim to receive counseling for more than a year and worked with the pastoral team to report his abuse with the congregation, according to the ISBA.

Church leaders consulted with experts to follow mandatory reporting regulations and conducted further investigation to make sure there were no sexual abuse accusations against Lyons during his tenure at the church, according to the ISBA.

In a Nov. 4 statement to the ISBA, church leaders said: “We acknowledge the pain that many people have felt throughout this process. We grieve over the damaging effects produced by sin. We continue to pray for all those involved in trusting in the healing and restoring power of God.”

Lyons will not return to his role at Armitage and was told not to engage in public ministry while under the discipline of the church, according to the ISBA.