Author

Bishop Henderson Wheeler, Church of God in Christ minister who at one time was a COG preacher from Florida who sought application to attend Lee College in 1963 and was rejected.

This led to a resolution passed by the 1964 General Assembly and entered into the Minutes against racism in the Church.

-Cleveland and TN History FB page

Discussion

19 comments

  1. This hurts my heart. I had no idea that this kind of thing happened. I have memories of my Dad preaching at black Churches when he was invited & me going with him. I guess, because I grew up in a family that was accepting & kind to all, I had no idea of the stuff that was going on, such as this.

  2. Is it written out clear the actual cause for his rejection? I was on Lee Colkege campus from 1855 thru 60 n we had a variety of Africans and international students. To be dark skinned was not a reason for rejection. Too, look thru the files there were definate strong groups of self segregated churches in the northeast n Fla even had a white overseer who loved his people. Look at American history..Dont blame the CoG.
    This pickin’ and negativity is nit a healthy atate. Thinking positively and seeing the good defies anger and sinning…

  3. Xcuse Typos–vision issues
    Meant..
    was at Lee Academy n Lee Jr College from 1955 to 1960..

  4. Charles Page says:

    the majority of COG congregations are still self-segregated. Both black and white.
    Henderson Wheeler was African American and not African – that was a big difference to the school prior to the mid sixties.

    Most all the COG was pro segregation up to the 60s

  5. Charles Page says:

    Bishop Wheeler was involuntarily segregated.

  6. Our Church is not segregated. We have members from all ethic backgrounds that are active & loved members.

  7. Larkin Self says:

    Not at my church. All ethnic backgrounds attend the Sumiton Church of God. As a child I grew up in many backgrounds as my Dad was a Church of God that way.

  8. Charles Page says:

    Do any blacks serve on the pastoral staff of your church?

  9. Larkin Self says:

    Yes. Most definitely

  10. Larkin Self says:

    We have several blacks on staff over usher committee,finance committee, Student Pastor, food bank and many areas of the Church. Also lets not forget Wallace Sibley at Church of God General office.

  11. My question is: “What good/edification is accomplished for anyone by posting an incident such as this that happened 54 years ago?” Some of the best friends I had at Lee College were black! I also had friends with other color skins, which never effected my association/fellowship with them at all! In fact, I still love and appreciate every one of them!

  12. Charles Page says:

    Lee University did accept African students but would not accept African American students until Bishop Wheeler broke the barrier.

  13. Larkin Self says:

    But look at Lee. now. There’s more exchange students that you can start with a stick.

  14. Charles Page says:

    How many African Americans?

  15. Charles Page says:

    African Americans are exchange students?

  16. Larkin Self says:

    I do not know where number and neither do you. If you do please post your facts. Do not tell me just show me.

  17. Charles Page says:

    good question, I would like to see a breakdown of the student body by ethnicity. I would also like to see a number for the illegal immigrant students.
    They call them dreamers.

  18. Larkin Self says:

    I’m sure they have those numbers. Why not get the facts b4 you tell the facts.

  19. […] Bishop Henderson Wheeler, Church of God in Christ minister who… […]