Jefferson County Sunday School Association facts for kids

The Jefferson County Sunday School Association was a church-based group started in 1925. It was located in Louisville, Kentucky. This group played a very important part in the local Civil Rights Movement. It was a big part of efforts by everyday people to fight against unfair treatment. The association especially focused on helping African-Americans get fair job chances.

How It Started

The JCSSA first began as a group for religious education. But in the 1930s, it started to focus on job unfairness for African-Americans. This change happened after a phone company in Louisville refused to hire African-Americans. Frank Stanley Sr., who ran the Louisville Defender newspaper, told his readers to pay their phone bills using only pennies. This made a big statement! After this event, the JCSSA started a campaign. They wanted the Louisville Transit Company to hire black bus drivers.

The JCSSA also held big meetings with different African-American religious groups. They worked with other groups that helped African-Americans, like Operation Breadbasket. In 1939, the JCSSA's health committee tried to create training places for nurses and doctors. This was to make health better for African-Americans. Sadly, this plan was stopped because of disagreements about who should lead the committee.

After World War II, many groups worked together in Louisville for civil rights. These included groups from different races, labor unions, government agencies, and church youth groups. Some groups, like the JCSSA, were led by inspiring people. These leaders encouraged many people to join protest campaigns.

Reverend Daniel J. Hughlett

Reverend Daniel J. Hughlett was one of the main leaders of the JCSSA. In 1930, he was chosen to lead the A.M.E. Zion Church. This church was located at 22nd and Chestnut streets in Louisville. Hughlett first worked as a secretary for the association's president. Later, he became the leader and changed the group's focus to improving race relations.

During Hughlett's thirty years as a pastor, his church became a symbol of hope. Youth programs grew strong under his leadership. The church also helped the community with money, spiritual needs, and health.

While Hughlett was pastor, the church started a "Well Baby Clinic." This clinic helped new mothers and their babies stay healthy. They also started a Credit Union. A credit union is like a bank that helps people save money and get loans. These programs helped the church grow in size and in the number of people attending. A basement area was added for church activities and for community groups to hold meetings.

Churches and Civil Rights

Many churches, including the A.M.E. Zion Church, advertised their services in the Louisville Leader newspaper. Pastors would even write articles about their church events. Churches often came together for meetings or conventions. This was especially true for pastors and their wives. Often, these women were the strong support behind church activities. They worked in smaller committees that planned many church-sponsored events.

Conventions held at different churches were places to share new ideas. They helped churches find ways to improve their work and serve the community better. Church activities and programs helped unite the black community. Churches also taught people to read and write. They were also a tool for social change. Members would not only worship together but also gather for protests.

For example, in 1942, Rev. Hughlett led a conference at the A.M.E. Zion Church. Directors of Religious Education from the Madisonville District attended. He explained new religious education guidelines. He also gave ideas for how church programs could better serve people. Rev. Hughlett also took part in a debate. The debate was about "which hinders the Negro most, his color or his conduct."

Women's Important Roles

Most church members and Sunday school attendees were women. However, men often held the main leadership jobs in the church. But women were still very involved in the association. They often worked on projects to improve the church and the community. Also, the pastors' wives sometimes formed their own groups to plan church events. Many African-American women also taught Sunday school. They often taught both adults and children how to read and write, along with Bible lessons. Sunday schools were very important for helping the black community learn to read.

Inside the church, women also led fundraising efforts. They raised money to support many African-American groups. These included businesses, newspapers, and schools, both inside and outside the church. Even though there were not many official roles for women in the church, the positions they had helped them. They gained organizing and speaking skills. These skills were important for starting other women's groups, like the NAACP. Women often used churches as a starting point for activism. This was because of the connections and support they got from their church family. Older active women in the church were seen as "community mothers." They cared for people in the African-American community and other church members. These women were seen as strong leaders among women. However, they were still under the authority of the men who held the higher church positions.

See also

• African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
• Civil Rights Movement
• History of Louisville, Kentucky
• NAACP in Kentucky