February 1, 1833 Henry McNeal Turner, bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Newberry Courthouse, South Carolina. At that time, the law prohibited a black child to be taught to read or write, therefore Turner taught himself. In 1853, he received his license to preach and during the Civil War was appointed […]
Tag Archives | bishop
March 5th in African American History – Leontine Turpeau Current Kelly
March 5, 1920 Leontine Turpeau Current Kelly, the first African American female Bishop in the United Methodist Church, was born in Washington, D.C. Kelly earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Union University in 1960 and her Master of Divinity degree from the Union Theological Seminary in 1976.
February 5th in African American History – Henry Beard Delany
February 5, 1858 Henry Beard Delany, the second African American bishop elected in the United States, was born enslaved in Saint Mary’s, Georgia. Delany graduated in theology from Saint Augustine’s School (now college) in 1885. After graduating, he joined the faculty of the school where he taught until 1908.