People, Locations, Episodes

Joseph Ritter, Prelate and Activist born

*Joseph Ritter was born on this date in 1892. He was a white-American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and a racial justice activist. Born in New Albany, Indiana, Elmer Joseph Ritter was the fourth of Nicholas and Bertha (née Luette) Ritter’s six children. His father owned and operated the Ritter Bakery (where the family […]

Brown’s Chapel (Minnesota) Begins Services

*Brown’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a black church located in Hastings, Minnesota, held its first service on this date in 1892. Brown’s Chapel was the center of religious and social activities for Blacks in the area, with many weddings and funerals. Former Hastings residents visited the church after moving away, demonstrating their lasting ties […]

St. Peter Claver Church (St. Paul, Minnesota) is Founded

On this date, we celebrate the founding of Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church in 1892. For over 100 years it has served a large percentage of the African American community in St. Paul, MN.

Rev. Glenn Settle, Minister, and Choir Director born

*Glenn T. Settle was born on this date in 1894. He was a Black minister and choral director.   Born in Reidsville, North Carolina, to Rubin and Mary Settle, Glenn Thomas Settle moved with his family to Uniontown, Pa., and attended public school. Settle then moved to Elyria, beginning his pastorate as assistant pastor of Mount […]

William Stuart Nelson, Activist born

*William Stuart Nelson was born on this date in 1895.  He was a Black theologian and human rights activist. William Nelson was born in Paris, Kentucky, and graduated from Lincoln High School in Paducah, KY. He served in World War I and received his BA from Howard University in 1920. After attending schools in France and Germany, […]

Stephen Spottswood, Bishop born

On this date in 1897, Stephen Gill Spottswood was born. He was an African American Bishop, religious leader, and a civil and human rights activist.

He was from Boston where he attended Albright College, Gordon Divinity School, and then received a Doctor of Divinity from Yale University. Bishop Spottswood was president of the Ohio Council of Churches and served on the boards of numerous interfaith conferences. He joined the NAACP in 1919 and was appointed to their board in 1955. He was elected Chairman of the Board in 1961, and that he held that position for ten years.

Elijah Muhammad, Nation of Islam Leader born

On this date the Registry remembers the birth of Elijah Muhammad in 1897. He was the leader of the Black separatist religious movement known as the Nation of Islam in America. The Nation of Islam is sometimes known as the Black Muslims.

Joseph DeLaine, Minister born

*Joseph DeLaine was born on this date in 1898. He was a Black Methodist minister and civil rights leader.   Joseph Armstrong DeLaine was from Clarendon County, South Carolina. He received a B.A. from Allen University in 1931, working as a laborer and running a dry-cleaning business to pay for his education. DeLaine worked with Modjeska Simkins and the South Carolina NAACP on Briggs v. Elliott, which challenged […]

The First National Black Catholic Congress is Held

*The first National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) was held in Washington, D.C. on this date in 1889.

Thomas Dorsey, Gospel Composer born

*Thomas Dorsey was born on this date in 1899. He was an African American pianist, arranger and composer, known as the “Father of Gospel Music.”

Howard Thurman, Theologian, and Educator born

On this date in 1899, Howard Thurman was born. He was an African American author, theologian, civil and human rights activist, and educator.

Thurman was from Daytona Beach, FL, and he studied at Morehouse College, Rochester Theological Center, and Haverford College. He was named by Life magazine as one of the 12 great preachers of the 20th century. He served as a pastor at a Baptist church in Ohio and as the dean of the chapel at Howard University from 1932 to 1944. Until 1953 he served at an interracial and interdenominational Fellowship Church he founded in San Francisco.

Sarah Williamson, Missionary born

Sarah Williamson was born on this date in 1899. She was an African American teacher, administrator, and missionary.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Williamson was sent to boarding school at Hampton Normal School (now Hampton University). There she completed four years of high school and two years of normal school. After graduation she attended the University of Rochester in New York for two years training for missionary work in Africa.

Martin Luther King Sr., Pastor born

*Martin Luther King Sr. was born on this date in 1899.  He was a Black Baptist pastor, missionary, and an early figure in the 20th-century American Civil Rights Movement.   He was born Michael King in Stockbridge, Georgia, the son of Delia Linsey and James Albert King.  He was a member of the Baptist Church and decided to become a preacher after being inspired by […]

Dr. George Kelsey, Theologian born

*George Kelsey was born on this date in 1910.  He was an African American educator, theologian and administrator.

Decatur Nichols, Minister born

Decatur Nichols was born on this date in 1900. He was an African American minister, deacon, and bishop.

He was from Georgetown, SC, the son of Reverend Ruffin and Anna Nichols. Decatur Ward Nichols was educated in the public schools of Charleston. He received his AB degree from Howard University, Washington, DC, and BD degree from Drew University, Madison, NJ.