Thomas Marcus Decatur Ward facts for kids

Thomas Marcus Decatur Ward (1823-1894) was an important American preacher and church leader. He helped African Americans who were escaping slavery.

Many people see Ward as a key leader in African American religious life during the 1800s. He was even called "the original trailblazer of African Methodism." In 1854, he became the leader of an A.M.E. church in San Francisco. He was also the first person from his church to work on the Pacific coast.

Early Life and Calling

Thomas Ward was born on September 28, 1823, in Hanover, Pennsylvania. His family had a brave history. His parents and grandparents had escaped from slavery. They moved to Pennsylvania and became active in the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.

Ward grew up in Philadelphia. When he was 15 years old, in 1838, he joined the A.M.E. Church.

Starting His Church Career

At age 20, Ward received his license to preach. He joined the New England Conference in 1846. By 1849, he became a church elder. This meant he had an important role in the church.

Ward quickly became a key member of the A.M.E. church leadership in Pennsylvania. He was chosen to be the secretary of the New England Conference. During this meeting, Ward suggested a "California mission." The church then sent him to San Francisco to start this important work.

The San Francisco Mission

When Ward arrived in San Francisco, the A.M.E. church there was very small. It also did not have much money. Ward had to find other jobs to support himself. He lived in a small place at 532 Bush Lane. Soon after he arrived, in 1854, someone tried to burn down the church.

Ward faced many challenges. He dealt with unfair treatment because of his race. He also felt that the culture in California was too focused on money. This was because of the California Gold Rush. Ward believed he was fighting against people who did not value Christian beliefs.

Helping Others in California

Ward became involved in helping a man named Archy Lee. Lee had been brought to Sacramento from Georgia. In 1867, Ward helped raise $50,000 to pay for legal costs. This money helped Archy Lee win three trials and become free. Later, Ward spent $3,050 of his own money. He did this to stop Lee's former owner from trying to kidnap him back to Georgia.

During the American Civil War, Ward was president of the California Contraband Relief Association. This group helped people who had been freed from slavery. Ward provided money to care for these freedmen. In the mid-1860s, Ward was chosen as a Bishop for the Pacific Coast. He also served as a delegate and led the education committee for the Colored Convention of California.

Later Years and Legacy

In his later years, Ward often returned to the Northeastern United States to preach. He was eventually assigned to lead the fifth district of the church in Georgia. In Georgia, he led many important church conferences. In 1875, for the first time, the church invited white Americans to attend one of these conferences.

Ward believed that learning was very important. In one of his sermons, he said, "Encourage learning and you will live; despise it and you will die."

People often called Ward "old man eloquent" because he was such a good speaker. His friends also described him as a courageous man. They said he was a bit overweight but charmed everyone with his strong, clear voice.

In the late 1870s, Freedmen University was started. One of the buildings there was named Ward Hall. It was named after him because of his important work with African American youth. In 1886, Ward brought together religious leaders. They formed a group dedicated to studying and learning.

Thomas Ward passed away in June 1894, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was buried in Washington D.C.