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{{short description|American pastor and public intellectual}} {{short description|American pastor and public intellectual (1892–1965)}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
|name = Vernon Johns | name = Dr. Vernon Johns
|birth_name = | birth_name =
|birth_date = {{birth date|1892|4|22}} | birth_date = {{birth date|1892|4|22}}
|birth_place = {{nowrap|]}} | birth_place = {{nowrap|]}}
|death_date = {{death date and age|1965|06|11|1892|4|22}} | death_date = {{death date and age|1965|06|11|1892|4|22}}
|death_place = {{nowrap|]}} | death_place = {{nowrap|]}}
|image = | image =
|caption = | caption =
|signature = | signature =
|parents = | parents =
|spouse = Altona Trent | spouse = Altona Trent
|children = Six children | children = Six children
|movement = ] | movement = ]
|organization = | organization =
|monuments = | monuments =
|alma_mater = ]<br>] | alma_mater = ]<br />]
|awards = | awards =
}} }}


'''Vernon Johns''' (April 22, 1892 – June 11, 1965) was an American minister based in the South and a pioneer in the civil rights movement. He is best known as the pastor (1947–52) of the ] in ]. He was succeeded there by Dr. ] '''Dr. Vernon Johns''' (April 22, 1892 – June 11, 1965) was an American minister based in the South and a pioneer in the civil rights movement. He is best known as the pastor (1947–52) of the ] in ]. He was succeeded there by Dr. ]


Johns was widely known in the black community across the South for his profound scholarship in the classics, his intellect, and his highly controversial and outspoken sermons on race relations, which were ahead of his time.<ref>''Taylor Branch, Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63'' (1988), pp 7–25, 109-10, 339-40</ref> Johns was widely known in the black community across the South for his profound scholarship in the classics, his intellect, and his highly controversial and outspoken sermons on race relations, which were ahead of his time.<ref name=Parting>{{cite book | author-link=Taylor Branch | last=Branch | first=Taylor | title=Parting the Waters: America in the King Years | location=New York | publisher=Simon & Schuster | date=1988 | isbn=978-0-671-68742-7 | pages=7–25, 109–10, 339–40|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/partingwatersame00bran_0}}</ref>


==Life== ==Life==
Johns was born in ], ], Virginia. Three of his grandparents had been enslaved. His paternal grandfather was hanged for killing his master. Johns's maternal grandfather was a Mr. Price, a white man. Price had a long-standing relationship with Johns's maternal grandmother. After killing another white man who tried to rape her, Price was convicted and served prison time. When she died young, their daughter Sallie Price (who later became Johns's mother) was raised by Price's white wife. The fact that Price was the father of the mixed-race girl Sallie was not generally acknowledged.<ref>], ''Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-1963'' (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1988), p. 7</ref> Johns was born in ], ], Virginia. Three of his grandparents had been enslaved. His paternal grandfather was hanged for killing his master. Johns's maternal grandfather was a Mr. Price, a white man. Price had a long-standing relationship with Johns's maternal grandmother. After killing another white man who tried to rape her, Price was convicted and served prison time. When she died young, their daughter Sallie Price (who later became Johns's mother) was raised by Price's white wife. The fact that Price was the father of the mixed-race girl Sallie was not generally acknowledged.{{r|Parting|p=7}}


In 1915, Johns graduated from ].<ref name="stanenc">, ''Martin Luther King Jr. and the Global Freedom Struggle'', King Institute</ref> He attended the ], where he studied with classmate ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oberlin.edu/external/EOG/BlackHistoryMonth/Vernon%20Johns/JohnsBioSketch.html|title=Vernon Johns|accessdate=Dec 21, 2020}}</ref> While at Oberlin, Johns was highly respected by both his classmates and the faculty; he was chosen to give the annual student oration. After graduating from Oberlin in 1918, he attended the ]'s graduate school of theology.<ref>Taylor Branch, ''Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63'' (1998) p 9.</ref> In 1915, Johns graduated from ].<ref name="stanenc">{{cite web | title=Johns, Vernon | website=The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute | date=May 9, 2017 | url=https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/johns-vernon | ref={{sfnref | The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute | 2017}} }}</ref> He attended the ], where he studied with classmate ].<ref name=Oberlin>{{cite web| last=Turner | first=Maelinda | title=Vernon Johns | website=Oberlin College and Conservatory | url=http://www.oberlin.edu/external/EOG/BlackHistoryMonth/Vernon%20Johns/JohnsBioSketch.html | access-date=Dec 21, 2020}}</ref> While at Oberlin, Johns was highly respected by both his classmates and the faculty; he was chosen to give the annual student oration. After graduating from Oberlin in 1918, he attended the ]'s graduate school of theology.{{r|Parting|p=9}}


After studying at the University of Chicago, Johns was called as a preacher to various congregations in Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. In 1926, he was the first African American to have his work published in ''Best Sermons of the Year''.<ref>, Oberlin University</ref> After studying at the University of Chicago, Johns was called as a preacher to various congregations in Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. In 1926, he was the first African American to have his work published in ''Best Sermons of the Year''.{{r|Oberlin}}


In 1927, Johns married Altona Trent. She was a pianist and music teacher who became a professor at what is now ]. In 1929–33 Johns served as president of Lynchburg's ]. He was unable to stabilize the school's finances and was forced to resign. He returned to his family farm <!-- Where? in VA? -->for several years. In 1927, Johns married Altona Trent. She was a pianist and music teacher who became a professor at what is now ]. In 1929–33 Johns served as president of Lynchburg's ]. He was unable to stabilize the school's finances and was forced to resign. He returned to his family farm <!-- Where? in VA? -->for several years.


In 1937 Johns was called again as a pastor of First Baptist Church in ]. In 1941, Johns returned to Lynchburg as pastor of Court Street Baptist Church, but was quickly forced to resign by the congregation and returned to the farm.<ref name="auto">Ralph Luker, "Johns the Baptist," </ref> In 1937 Johns was called again as a pastor of First Baptist Church in ]. In 1941, Johns returned to Lynchburg as pastor of Court Street Baptist Church, but was quickly forced to resign by the congregation and returned to the farm.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last=Luker|first=Ralph E.|author-link=Ralph Luker| title=Johns the Baptist | website=RalphLuker.com | date=2003 | url=https://www.ralphluker.com/vjohns/baptist.html | ref={{sfnref | ralphluker.com | 1965}} }}</ref>


His wife's connection to ASU enabled her to influence ] to hire Johns as pastor in October 1948.<ref>Branch, ''Parting the Waters'', p. 6-7</ref> On one occasion, he paid his fare on a bus in Montgomery, and was directed to the back in the custom of segregated seating. He refused to sit there and demanded, and got, his money back.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Wally G. Vaughan|others=Richard W. Wills|title=Reflections on our Pastor|year=1999|publisher=Majority Press|location=Dover|isbn=9780912469348|pages=45–47}}</ref> He sometimes ruffled feathers among his upper- and middle-class congregation by selling his farm produce outside the church building.<ref name="stanenc"/> His wife's connection to ASU enabled her to influence ] to hire Johns as pastor in October 1948.{{r|Parting|pages=6–7}} On one occasion, he paid his fare on a bus in Montgomery, and was directed to the back in the custom of segregated seating. He refused to sit there and demanded, and got, his money back.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Wally G. Vaughan|others=Richard W. Wills|title=Reflections on our Pastor|year=1999|publisher=Majority Press|location=Dover|isbn=9780912469348|pages=45–47}}</ref> He sometimes ruffled feathers among his upper- and middle-class congregation by selling his farm produce outside the church building.<ref name="stanenc"/>


Johns's niece, Barbara Johns, led a student strike in ] in 1951. Ultimately she was involved in a suit against the county, ''Davis vs. Prince Edward County''. This was one of five cases that was combined in the '']'' of Topeka suit that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. It ruled that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional and urged states to desegregate such facilities. Ms. Johns noted that one of her inspirations was her uncle, Rev. Johns.<ref>https://www.biography.com/people/barbara-johns-206527</ref> Johns's niece, ], led a student strike in ] in 1951. Ultimately she was involved in a suit against the county, ''Davis vs. Prince Edward County''. This was one of five cases that was combined in the '']'' of Topeka suit that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. It ruled that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional and urged states to desegregate such facilities. Ms. Johns noted that one of her inspirations was her uncle, Rev. Johns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/barbara-johns-206527 |title=Barbara Johns |website=www.biography.com |access-date=5 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203051613/http://www.biography.com/people/barbara-johns-206527 |archive-date=3 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


In May 1953, Johns was forced to resign as pastor in Montgomery. He returned to his family farm, where he spent the rest of his life.<ref name="auto"/> In May 1953, Johns was forced to resign as pastor in Montgomery. He returned to his family farm, where he spent the rest of his life.<ref name="auto"/>
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==Legacy== ==Legacy==
A ], ''Road to Freedom: The Vernon Johns Story'' (1994), written by Leslie Lee and Kevin Arkadie, was based on an unpublished biography by Henry W. Powell of The Vernon Johns Society. It was directed by Kenneth Fink and stars ] in the title role. Former ] player ] was the film's co-executive ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Branch|first=Taylor|title=Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954–63|location=New York|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=1988|isbn=0-671-68742-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/partingwatersame00bran_0}}</ref> A ], ''Road to Freedom: The Vernon Johns Story'' (1994), written by Leslie Lee and Kevin Arkadie, was based on an unpublished biography by Henry W. Powell of The Vernon Johns Society. It was directed by Kenneth Fink and stars ] in the title role. Former ] player ] was the film's co-executive ].{{r|Parting}}


David Anderson Elementary School in ], was renamed as Vernon Johns Middle School. In 2009 was adapted as the junior high school for the city school system.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} David Anderson Elementary School in ], was renamed as Vernon Johns Middle School. In 2009 it was adapted as the junior high school for the city school system.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}


==See also== ==See also==
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==Further reading== ==Further reading==
⚫ * {{cite book|first=Ralph|last=Luker|title=Historical Dictionary of the Civil Rights Movement|date=1997|pages=134–35}}
* Ralph Luker, "Johns the Baptist,"
⚫ * Ralph Luker. ''Historical Dictionary of the Civil Rights Movement'' (1997), pp 134–35.


==External links== ==External links==
* {{cite web | title=The Life and Times of the Prophet Vernon Johns: Father of the Civil Rights Movement | website=The Vernon Johns Society | date=April 7, 2003 | url=http://www.vernonjohns.org/tcal001/vjtofc.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030407035111/http://www.vernonjohns.org/tcal001/vjtofc.html | archive-date=April 7, 2003 | url-status=usurped | ref={{sfnref | vernonjohns.org | 2003}} }}
*
* * {{cite web | title=Former Pastors: Vernon Johns (1947–1952) | website=Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church | url=https://www.dexterkingmemorial.org/about/history/former-pastors/former-pastors-vernon-johns-1947-1952/ | ref={{sfnref | Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church}} }}
*
* {{IMDb title|id=0111611|title=The Vernon Johns Story}} * {{IMDb title|id=0111611|title=The Vernon Johns Story}}
* {{cite web | title=Documenting Vernon Johns | website=History News Network | date=October 4, 2005 | url=http://hnn.us/blogs/entries/16626.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823054711/http://hnn.us/blogs/entries/16626.html | archive-date=August 23, 2012 | url-status=dead | ref={{sfnref | hnn.us | 2005}} }}
*


{{Civil rights movement}} {{Civil rights movement}}
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Latest revision as of 20:25, 19 July 2024

American pastor and public intellectual (1892–1965)
Dr. Vernon Johns
Born(1892-04-22)April 22, 1892
Darlington Heights, Virginia
DiedJune 11, 1965(1965-06-11) (aged 73)
Washington, D.C.
Alma materOberlin Seminary
University of Chicago
MovementCivil Rights Movement
SpouseAltona Trent
ChildrenSix children

Dr. Vernon Johns (April 22, 1892 – June 11, 1965) was an American minister based in the South and a pioneer in the civil rights movement. He is best known as the pastor (1947–52) of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He was succeeded there by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Johns was widely known in the black community across the South for his profound scholarship in the classics, his intellect, and his highly controversial and outspoken sermons on race relations, which were ahead of his time.

Life

Johns was born in Darlington Heights, Prince Edward County, Virginia. Three of his grandparents had been enslaved. His paternal grandfather was hanged for killing his master. Johns's maternal grandfather was a Mr. Price, a white man. Price had a long-standing relationship with Johns's maternal grandmother. After killing another white man who tried to rape her, Price was convicted and served prison time. When she died young, their daughter Sallie Price (who later became Johns's mother) was raised by Price's white wife. The fact that Price was the father of the mixed-race girl Sallie was not generally acknowledged.

In 1915, Johns graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary and College. He attended the Oberlin Seminary, where he studied with classmate Robert M. Hutchins. While at Oberlin, Johns was highly respected by both his classmates and the faculty; he was chosen to give the annual student oration. After graduating from Oberlin in 1918, he attended the University of Chicago's graduate school of theology.

After studying at the University of Chicago, Johns was called as a preacher to various congregations in Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. In 1926, he was the first African American to have his work published in Best Sermons of the Year.

In 1927, Johns married Altona Trent. She was a pianist and music teacher who became a professor at what is now Alabama State University. In 1929–33 Johns served as president of Lynchburg's Virginia Theological Seminary and College. He was unable to stabilize the school's finances and was forced to resign. He returned to his family farm for several years.

In 1937 Johns was called again as a pastor of First Baptist Church in Charleston, West Virginia. In 1941, Johns returned to Lynchburg as pastor of Court Street Baptist Church, but was quickly forced to resign by the congregation and returned to the farm.

His wife's connection to ASU enabled her to influence Dexter Avenue Baptist Church to hire Johns as pastor in October 1948. On one occasion, he paid his fare on a bus in Montgomery, and was directed to the back in the custom of segregated seating. He refused to sit there and demanded, and got, his money back. He sometimes ruffled feathers among his upper- and middle-class congregation by selling his farm produce outside the church building.

Johns's niece, Barbara Johns, led a student strike in Prince Edward County, Virginia in 1951. Ultimately she was involved in a suit against the county, Davis vs. Prince Edward County. This was one of five cases that was combined in the Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka suit that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. It ruled that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional and urged states to desegregate such facilities. Ms. Johns noted that one of her inspirations was her uncle, Rev. Johns.

In May 1953, Johns was forced to resign as pastor in Montgomery. He returned to his family farm, where he spent the rest of his life.

Vernon Johns died of a heart attack in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 1965, at age 73.

Legacy

A television film, Road to Freedom: The Vernon Johns Story (1994), written by Leslie Lee and Kevin Arkadie, was based on an unpublished biography by Henry W. Powell of The Vernon Johns Society. It was directed by Kenneth Fink and stars James Earl Jones in the title role. Former NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the film's co-executive producer.

David Anderson Elementary School in Petersburg, Virginia, was renamed as Vernon Johns Middle School. In 2009 it was adapted as the junior high school for the city school system.

See also

References

  1. ^ Branch, Taylor (1988). Parting the Waters: America in the King Years. New York: Simon & Schuster. pp. 7–25, 109–10, 339–40. ISBN 978-0-671-68742-7.
  2. ^ "Johns, Vernon". The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute. May 9, 2017.
  3. ^ Turner, Maelinda. "Vernon Johns". Oberlin College and Conservatory. Retrieved Dec 21, 2020.
  4. ^ Luker, Ralph E. (2003). "Johns the Baptist". RalphLuker.com.
  5. Wally G. Vaughan, ed. (1999). Reflections on our Pastor. Richard W. Wills. Dover: Majority Press. pp. 45–47. ISBN 9780912469348.
  6. "Barbara Johns". www.biography.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2022.

Further reading

  • Luker, Ralph (1997). Historical Dictionary of the Civil Rights Movement. pp. 134–35.

External links

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