John Cross Jr. facts for kids

John H. Cross Jr. (born January 27, 1925 – died November 15, 2007) was an American pastor and a champion for Civil Rights. He is best known as the pastor of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This church was a very important place for African Americans. In 1963, the church was bombed because of racial hatred. This terrible event killed four young girls. It became a powerful symbol for the Civil Rights Movement. It also showed the whole country how serious racial segregation was in the South. John Cross Jr. spent much of his life working to bring people of different races together.

The Early Life of John Cross Jr.

John Cross Jr. was born on January 27, 1925, in Haynes, Arkansas. His parents were Margie Ann and John H. Cross Sr. He became interested in the ministry very early in life. He even gave his first trial sermon when he was still a teenager.

After finishing high school, Cross joined the U.S. Army in 1944. He served as an assistant regimental chaplain, which is like a minister for soldiers.

Education and Family

After World War II, Cross left the army. He went to Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. This was a historically African American university. He earned his first degree there in 1950. Later, in 1959, he also earned a master's degree in divinity from the same university.

While at Virginia Union University, Cross met Julia Ball. She was also a student there. They got married on September 3, 1949. Julia Cross passed away in 2003.

Leading the 16th Street Baptist Church

In 1962, John Cross Jr. became the new pastor of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Before this, he was a pastor at another Baptist church in Richmond, Virginia. The church chose him because he seemed like a good fit for their congregation. Most of the church members were well-educated and conservative African Americans. Before coming to Birmingham, Cross did not have much experience as a civil rights activist.

Birmingham: A Challenging City

The city of Birmingham, Alabama, where Cross moved, was a very difficult place at that time. It was known as "Bombingham" by 1962. This was because many racially motivated bombings had happened there in the 1950s and early 1960s. The city was a stronghold for the Ku Klux Klan, a group that often used violence against black people.

Birmingham's public safety commissioner, Eugene "Bull" Connor, was also well known. He often used strong fire hoses and attack dogs against people who were protesting for civil rights. This made Birmingham a central place for the Civil Rights Movement's struggles.