Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Ministers' Manifesto: Trinity's Commitment Past and Future

Sunday, October 28

9:45 a.m., Sanctuary

12:00 p.m., Williams Hall

On October 28, Trinity will commemorate the historic publication, on November 1, 1957, of a Manifesto on Racial Beliefs. Dr. Allison Williams, along with Bishop Bevel Jones, Bishop in Residence at Emory University's Candler School of Theology; Dr. Robert Franklin, President of Morehouse College; and Dr. Joseph Lowery, well-known civil rights activist and former President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, will provide leadership of an church-wide church school class at 9:45 a.m. and of a luncheon panel discussion following 11:00 a.m. worship.

In November 1957 Dr. Allison Williams, Senior Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, and 79 other Atlanta pastors signed a Manifesto on Racial Beliefs, which was published in both The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution. This document stated clearly their opposition to the "hatred, defiance, and violence" which followed the Supreme Court's granting of "full privileges of first-class citizenship" to black Americans through the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision.

Throughout the South, violent acts against black citizens had erupted, not only led by Ku Klux Klan and White Citizens Council members, but also supported in many places by elected officials and business and professional leaders. Because of the "tremendous political and social tension" of the time, these 80 men believed that, as ministers of the Gospel, they had a responsibility "not to be silent concerning their convictions."

The publication of the manifesto represented bold defiance of the prevailing attitude in many areas in the city of Atlanta, the surrounding communities, and the state. With full awareness of the potential personal and professional risks, Allison Williams provided sterling leadership in the public call for racial justice and equality for all persons, according to Scriptural teaching. This action characterized the theological tenets which the young founding pastor - Allison - had already brought to the young Trinity Church, then only eight years old. Moreover, it established Trinity as a courageous leader among churches, unafraid to stand for that which is "true, honest, and just" even to the present day.

All members of the congregation and interested friends are invited to participate in this rare opportunity to be reminded of the strong foundation on which our church has been built and to reaffirm our commitment to its mission as we recognize and respond to current issues.

Please join Dr. Allison Williams and Bishop Bevel Jones during the church school hour, when they will reflect on the events surrounding the initiation and signing of the manifesto, as well as its impact on churches and on our community.

You are also invited to stay after worship for lunch, where Dr. Joseph Lowery and Dr. Robert Franklin will join these signers of the 1957 Manifest to discuss its challenge and implications for our church and community today.