Wesley John Gaines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wesley John Gaines
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| Born | October 4, 1840 Wilkes County, Georgia, U.S.
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| Died | January 12, 1912 |
Bishop Wesley John Gaines (born October 4, 1840 – died January 12, 1912) was an important African-American church and community leader in Georgia. He helped start Morris Brown College and was a leader at Payne Theological Seminary.
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Early Life and Learning
Gaines was born in Wilkes County, Georgia. He was one of fourteen children. His parents, Louisa and William Gaines, were enslaved. He was named after John Wesley, who started the Methodist religion.
Even though he was enslaved, Wesley Gaines loved to learn. He learned the alphabet when he was eleven years old. He taught himself to read while he was sick in bed. By the time he was a teenager, he felt called to become a preacher.
Wesley Gaines was a very tall and strong person. His brother, William Gaines, also became a minister and community leader.
Becoming a Leader
In 1865, Wesley Gaines was allowed to preach. He started working with the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church). For 20 years, he served as a pastor in cities like Wilmington, North Carolina, Atlanta, Macon, and Athens, Georgia.
Under his leadership, the Bethel AME Church in Atlanta grew very large. It became the biggest African American church in the southern United States. In 1883, he earned a special degree called a Doctor of Divinity from Wilberforce University.
Founding Colleges and Churches
Wesley Gaines became a bishop in the AME Church. He was a key person in starting Morris Brown College in Atlanta. He also helped manage the college's money. He was also a leader at Payne Theological Seminary in 1891. Gaines also helped create Jackson Chapel.
He wrote two books: African Methodism in the South in 1890 and The Negro and the White Man in 1897.
Family Life
Wesley Gaines married Julia A. Camper in 1863. They had a daughter named Mary Louisa in 1872. Bishop Gaines passed away on January 12, 1912.
His Lasting Impact
Wesley Gaines left a big mark on his community. In 1893, a church in Elkridge Landing was rebuilt and renamed Gaines Chapel AME Church to honor him. Nine other churches were also named after him, showing how much he was respected.
