J. Pius Barbour facts for kids

Josephus Pius Barbour (June 8, 1894 – January 5, 1974) was an important American leader. He was a Baptist pastor in Chester, Pennsylvania. He also led the National Baptist Association and edited their newspaper. Barbour was the first African American to graduate from Crozer Theological Seminary. He later became a mentor to a young Martin Luther King Jr..

Josephus Barbour's Early Life and Schooling

Josephus Barbour was born in Galveston, Texas. He went to Morehouse College and earned his first degree in 1917. Later, he earned a higher degree in theology from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1937. Barbour made history as the first African American to graduate from this seminary.

Barbour's Career as a Pastor and Leader

From 1919 to 1921, Barbour taught at Tuskegee Institute. In 1921, he became a pastor at Day Street Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He served there until 1931. During this time, Barbour organized a meeting to protect the voting rights of Black citizens.

From 1931 to 1933, he was a pastor in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1933, he moved to Chester, Pennsylvania. He became the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church and stayed there until he passed away in 1974.

Barbour was also a leader on the board of the National Baptist Convention. For 17 years, he was the editor of their newspaper, the National Baptist Voice.

Working for Civil Rights in Chester

Barbour was very active in the civil rights movement in Chester. He worked with George Raymond, who led the local NAACP branch. For twenty years, Barbour was a main planner for civil rights actions. People in the community, both Black and white, respected his calm and practical way of solving problems. He also worked in local politics to represent the African American community in Chester.

Mentoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. attended Calvary Baptist Church while he was a student at Crozer Theological Seminary. This was from 1948 to 1951. King's father, Martin Luther King Sr., knew Barbour through their work with the National Baptist Association. He asked Barbour to look after his 19-year-old son. Barbour was asked to watch over King's studies and activities.

King taught Sunday School and worked with the youth at Calvary Baptist Church. The church became like a second home to him. King often visited the Barbour house for southern meals. He also enjoyed the deep discussions and new ideas shared there. King and Barbour became "like father and son."

Lawrence D. Reddick, who wrote a book about King, said that Dr. King believed Barbour was one of the most important people in his life. Barbour and King continued to write letters to each other throughout King's life.

Josephus Barbour's Personal Life

Barbour was married to Olee Little Barbour. They had three children together.

He was a member of several important groups. These included the NAACP, the Ministerial Association, and the Council of Churches. He was also part of the American Academy of Political and Social Science and the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis. Barbour was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He also served on the board of the Chester Water Authority.

Barbour passed away in 1974. He is buried on the grounds of Calvary Baptist Church.