Author, Theologian. He was well known for his ability to reach listeners, both black and white through his sermons. He became a world-renowned spiritual and intellectual leader, pursuing a dream of unity-one that would cross all lines of race, religion, and national origin. In 1923, Thurman graduated Morehouse College as valedictorian and Rochester Theological Seminary. Afer he was ordained a Baptist minister in 1923, he accepted an offer to serve as pastor of a church in Oberlin, Ohio. From there he moved on to become the first black dean at Boston University and then the first dean of Rankin Chapel at Howard University in Washington, D.C. (1932-1944). In the later position, Thurman traveled broadly, heading Christian missions and meeting with world figures like Mahatma Ghandi. In 1944, Thurman became pastor of the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco, California, one of the first, if not the first, interfaith and interracial churches in the country. A steady stream of sermons, meditations, and essays, published over the next three decades, circulated Thurman's thoughts on spiritual growth, mysticism, community, and race to a large audience across the country and around the world. He continued his ministry as director of the Howard Thurman Educational Trust in San Francisco from its founding in 1965 until his death in 1981. Howard Thurman was identified by Life Magazine as one of the twelve greatest ministers of the 20th century. He was also identified by Ebony Magazine as one of the fifty most influential African-Americans of all time.
Author, Theologian. He was well known for his ability to reach listeners, both black and white through his sermons. He became a world-renowned spiritual and intellectual leader, pursuing a dream of unity-one that would cross all lines of race, religion, and national origin. In 1923, Thurman graduated Morehouse College as valedictorian and Rochester Theological Seminary. Afer he was ordained a Baptist minister in 1923, he accepted an offer to serve as pastor of a church in Oberlin, Ohio. From there he moved on to become the first black dean at Boston University and then the first dean of Rankin Chapel at Howard University in Washington, D.C. (1932-1944). In the later position, Thurman traveled broadly, heading Christian missions and meeting with world figures like Mahatma Ghandi. In 1944, Thurman became pastor of the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco, California, one of the first, if not the first, interfaith and interracial churches in the country. A steady stream of sermons, meditations, and essays, published over the next three decades, circulated Thurman's thoughts on spiritual growth, mysticism, community, and race to a large audience across the country and around the world. He continued his ministry as director of the Howard Thurman Educational Trust in San Francisco from its founding in 1965 until his death in 1981. Howard Thurman was identified by Life Magazine as one of the twelve greatest ministers of the 20th century. He was also identified by Ebony Magazine as one of the fifty most influential African-Americans of all time.
Bio by: Curtis Jackson
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