Photograph

Black & White Methodist Conferences Merge.

Documents African American spiritual life in the mid-20th century and racial integration within religious communities.

Originally titled "Negro, white Methodist conferences merge," this photograph shows three men, each with one hand on a bishop's crosier. On left is presumably Rev. James W. Elbert of the Delaware Conference, in the center presumably Rev. Alton S. Miller, and on right, Rev. John Wesley Lord. Original image caption reads "Methodist Bishop John Wesley Lord (right) of Washington, D.C., receives a bishop's crosier in ceremonies marking the merger of the Delaware Conference of the Church, formerly part of the all-Negro Central Jurisdiction, with the Peninsula Conference of the Northeastern Jurisdiction."

The Delaware Conference to the Methodist Church had been organized in 1864 predominantly by formerly enslaved people. A 1958 amendment to the Methodist constitution provided for the voluntary integration of African American Methodist groups into the five local conferences.

May 13, 1965

1960s

Washington, D.C.

African American bishops--Washington (D.C.)
Methodist Church (U.S.). Delaware Conference.
Lord, John Wesley
Elbert, James W.
Miller, Alton S.

Religious News Service

Physical dimensions: 8.25 x 10 inches
Digital dimensions: 1440 × 900 pixels

Photograph print

Presbyterian Historical Society

https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A151482

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"Talks Stayed on Methodist Merger Plan." The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973), Apr 23, 1965.

*Jason, William, J. "Delaware Methodist Conference Dissolved: 101 Years of Service to Methodist Church are Ended by Merger." Philadelphia Tribune (1912-2001), Apr 27, 1965.

Artifacts of Social Life