hayleycarson Baptists, Black Churches, Research Credit: Hayley Carson

47+ Years of Service in Des Moines

Reverend George Parrish was born in Boone, Iowa in 1914. He was primarily raised by his grandmother—who was a traveling midwife—leading him to finish high school outside of Iowa and pursue higher education at a Bible college in Nashville, Tennessee and the Western Bible School in Kansas City, Missouri. He returned to Iowa in 1936, … Continue reading 47+ Years of Service in Des Moines

hayleycarson Black Churches, DIrty Laundry, Research Credit: Hayley Carson

The Challenges of Researching Black Churches

Researching Black churches using newspapers is quite tricky. Information from obituaries and weekly events are plentiful, but finding when a church’s name or location changes and consistent information on its development can be cumbersome. You have to notice patterns and think creatively.  This summer we are focused on the Maple Street Baptist Church and one … Continue reading The Challenges of Researching Black Churches

karibassett Uncategorized

Researching Black Ministers is Hard

When I started planning 2024’s Black History month content, I had aspirations of featuring a minister every Monday…because Minister Monday is catchy, right? Despite having a notebook full of names, I got really hung up on initials. Almost all Iowa’s late 19th century/early 20th century ministers went by their first and middle initials in newspaper … Continue reading Researching Black Ministers is Hard

karibassett Baptists, Black Churches, Research Credit: Evelynn Coffie

Reverend T.L. Griffith’s Response to Atlanta Race Riots of 1906

Reverend T.L. Griffith of Corinthian Baptist Church delivered an address to “almost all of the city’s approximately 600 negroes” in response to the Atlanta Race Riot of 1906. In his address, he acknowledged the wrongs to the Black community and called on the audience to stand for the betterment of the community, urging restraint in … Continue reading Reverend T.L. Griffith’s Response to Atlanta Race Riots of 1906

karibassett Baptists, Black Churches, Research Credit: Evelynn Coffie

Church Metrics: The Legacy of T.L. Griffith

In December of 1908, Corinthian Baptist’s minister TL Griffith announced his resignation. His plan was to move to Denver, Colorado, and pastor Zion Church, which was, at the time, the largest Black church in the US. In January, 1909, the Register reported that the congregation passed a resolution (including a letter to Zion Church’s congregation) … Continue reading Church Metrics: The Legacy of T.L. Griffith

evelynn coffie Research Credit: Evelynn Coffie, Uncategorized

Would you consider preaching for $1 and a chicken too?

Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Des Moines, Iowa has been through various different leaders in their time, but there’s one pioneering pastor who sparked hope through his sermons. And, according to a clipping from The Des Moines Register, he was given $1 and a chicken to preach on Sundays, but that's not all he … Continue reading Would you consider preaching for $1 and a chicken too?