Henry H. Proctor facts for kids
Henry Hugh Proctor was an important minister, writer, and speaker. He was born on December 8, 1868, near Fayetteville, Tennessee. He passed away in 1933. Proctor served as a minister at the First Congregational Church in Atlanta. This church was the second-oldest African American Congregational church in the United States.
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Henry Proctor's Early Life and Education
Henry Proctor's parents were once slaves. He worked very hard to get an education. He even dug ditches and preached to earn money for his studies.
In 1891, he graduated from Fisk University. Later, in 1894, he earned a special degree called a Bachelor of Divinity from Yale University. After this, he became a minister in the Congregational church. Soon after, he became the main pastor at the First Congregational Church in Atlanta.
Working for Change and Unity
In 1903, Proctor helped start an important group. He joined George Washington Henderson, who was the president of Straight University in New Orleans. Together, they created the National Convention of Congregational Workers Among Colored People. Henry Proctor was chosen as its very first president.
In 1904, Clark University honored Proctor with a Doctor of Divinity degree. This showed how much his work was valued.
Helping Atlanta After Difficult Times
After the Atlanta Race Riot in 1906, there was a lot of tension. Henry Proctor worked with a white attorney to help calm things down. They formed a group called the Interracial Committee of Atlanta. This group worked to bring people of different races together.
Supporting the Community
Proctor made sure his church offered many helpful services. These services were often missing in the black community at that time.
- He created a library for people to read and learn.
- He started a kindergarten for young children.
- He opened an employment bureau to help people find jobs.
- He added a gymnasium for exercise and fun.
- He set up a special reading room for ladies.
- He included a music room for people to enjoy music.
- He offered counseling services to help people with problems.
- He even had a model kitchen and sewing room for girls to learn important skills.
Proctor also helped open the first safe housing for young working black women. He strongly believed that everyone should try to improve themselves.
Music for Unity
Henry Proctor also started the Atlanta Colored Music Festival Association. This festival held concerts that both black and white people attended. They sat in separate sections but shared the same space. Proctor believed that music could help reduce bad feelings between races. This music festival still happens today as the Atlanta Music Festival.
Later Life
In 1919, after World War I, Proctor traveled to Europe. He worked there to support black American troops. After returning, he became the leader of the Nazarene Congregational Church in Brooklyn. He lived in Brooklyn for the rest of his life. Henry Proctor passed away in 1933.
