A Legacy of Service

In 1865 when the Civil War ended, more than 4 million uneducated people (it was illegal to teach slaves to read and write) were left to an unknown future. Methodist Bishop Davis W. Clark, called a meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Aug. 6, 1866 and the Freedmen’s Aid Society was born.

By November 1867, 59 schools had been founded in 10 states.

The Methodist Episcopal Church centered its early mission on the 12 (now 11) Black colleges founded between 1866 and 1904 and the church’s support was and is the constant in the history and survival of these Black colleges. The initial efforts came in the form of Lincoln Day offerings, Race Relations Day offerings, Annual Conference Voluntary Support, special annual conference giving, by philanthropic gifts and grants.

In 1972, the General Conference approved the Black College Fund apportionment. The fund provides a constant and reliable way to fund the colleges’ operations, programs and capital improvements to keep them competitive.

The Black colleges and universities of The United Methodist Church, far out of proportion to their numbers and financial resources, are responsible for educating some of the world’s most effective and popular leaders. Included in that impressive cadre is everyone from preachers, district superintendents and bishops to college professors and presidents to general agency staff, legislators and community leaders. Further, these schools and their graduates have a rich legacy of service and are a source of great pride and humanity in their communities.