Charles D. Martin (minister) facts for kids

Charles Douglas Martin (born November 7, 1873 – died March 1942) was an important minister from the British West Indies. He was a leader in the Moravian Church. Charles was born in St. Kitts to Joseph and Adriana Martin.

He moved to New York and started the Fourth Moravian Church in Harlem in 1903. This church was located at 124 West 136th Street in Manhattan. He named it "Beth-Tphillah," which means "House of Prayer" in Hebrew. In 1912, he became the first and only Black minister in the Moravian Church in the United States. He led the church from July 1908 until he passed away in March 1942. Later, in 1968, his church joined with the Third Moravian Church to form the United Moravian Church.

The Silent Protest Parade

Reverend Dr. Martin was very active in helping the Black community that his church served. In 1917, he played a big part in a historic event called the Negro Silent Protest Parade. This march was organized by the NAACP.

Dr. Martin worked with Reverend Hutchens C. Bishop to plan the parade. Dr. Martin was the Secretary, and Reverend Bishop was the President. Thousands of Black people marched silently on a hot July day. This powerful protest made national news and inspired other protests across the country.

Why They Marched for Justice

Dr. Martin wrote a message asking "people of African descent" to join the parade. During the march, Black Boy Scouts handed out flyers to everyone watching. The parade was a protest against many unfair things happening at the time.

People were upset about terrible acts of violence against Black people, like those in Waco, Memphis, and East St. Louis. They also thought about the U.S. occupation in Haiti.

Dr. Martin explained "Why We March" in his message:

"We march because we are totally against unfair rules that separated people, forced separation, treating people unfairly, taking away the right to vote, terrible violence, and many other bad things forced on us. It's time for kindness and fairness to guide our laws.

... We march because our shared experiences of sadness and unfairness have brought us together. We are one people, and no one can break us apart, no matter what they try to do."