Adam Clayton Powell Sr. facts for kids
Adam Clayton Powell Sr. (born May 5, 1865 – died June 12, 1953) was an important American pastor. He led the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. Under his guidance, it became the largest Protestant church in the country. It had 10,000 members!
Powell was an African American community leader and writer. He was also the father of Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr.. Adam Clayton Powell Sr. grew up in poverty in southwestern Virginia. He worked hard to pay for his schooling. He studied at Wayland Seminary and became a minister in 1892.
After working in churches in Philadelphia and New Haven, Connecticut, Powell became the pastor at Abyssinian Baptist Church. He served there from 1908 to 1936. During the Great Migration, many Black families moved from the rural South to New York. Harlem became a lively center for African American life. During his time, Powell helped the church buy land and raise money. He also oversaw the building of a much larger church and community center.
He helped start the National Urban League. He was also active in the NAACP. He served as a trustee for several historically black colleges and schools.
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Early Life and Education
Adam Clayton Powell Sr. was born in Franklin County, Virginia. His mother, Sally Dunning, was a free woman of color. His stepfather, Anthony Bush, raised him. The family later moved to Cabin Creek, West Virginia. There, Anthony and his family took the last name Powell.
Young Adam worked hard from a young age. At 15, he hauled water at the mines. He worked to pay for his college education. In 1892, he graduated from Wayland Seminary in Washington, D.C. This school later became part of Virginia Union University. He also studied at Yale Divinity School from 1895 to 1896. Later, he received an honorary degree from Virginia Union University in 1904.
Family Life
On June 30, 1889, Powell married Mattie Shaffer in Pratt, West Virginia. Mattie's parents were Samuel Buster and Eliza Wilson. Adam and Mattie had two children. Their daughter was Blanche F. Powell (born 1898, died 1926). Their son was Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (born 1908, died 1972). Blanche later married Clarence D. King.
Leading the Church
Powell became a Baptist minister in 1892. He led churches in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New Haven, Connecticut before moving to New York.
From 1908 to 1936, Powell was the pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. The church had been around for a century. In 1920, under his leadership, the church bought a large piece of land. They built a big new church and community center. It cost $334,000. As more Black people moved to New York during the Great Migration, the church grew. Powell helped the Abyssinian Baptist Church reach 10,000 members. This made it the largest Protestant church in the country.
Powell had a big impact on his community. A German pastor named Dietrich Bonhoeffer visited Abyssinian Baptist Church. He stayed for six months while studying in New York. Bonhoeffer was very impressed by Powell's sermons and the church's community work. He also loved the Black spiritual music. Adam Clayton Powell Sr. taught Bonhoeffer important lessons. These included loving your enemies and fighting against unfairness.
Community Involvement
Powell was active in many schools and community groups. He helped start the National Urban League. This group works to help African Americans achieve equality. He was also a trustee for several historically black colleges and schools. These included Virginia Union University and the National Training School for Women and Girls.
He was a member of the YMCA and the Republican Party. He also belonged to groups like the Masons and the Odd Fellows.
Powell's son, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., became a pastor too. He worked with his father for several years. In 1937, he took over as pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church.
Burial Place
Adam Clayton Powell Sr. is buried at Flushing Cemetery in Flushing, Queens, New York City, New York.
See also
Works
Pamphlets
- "Some Rights Not Denied the Negro"
- "The Significance of the Hour"
- "A Plea for Strong Manhood"
- "A Three-Fold Cord"
