John Culmer
Encyclopedia
Father John Edwin Culmer (May 22, 1891 – June 18, 1963) was a minister
and civil rights
leader, most notable for his work in Miami, Florida
, United States
.
An accomplished musician, Culmer attended Oskaloosa College
, where he received a B.A.
in music. He received a bachelor of divinity degree from Bishop Payne Divinity School. He has also received honorary doctorates from Bethune-Cookman College and the Virginia Theological Seminary
.
After leading a ministry in Tampa
, in 1929, Culmer was transferred to the Saint Agnes
Church in Miami. At the church, Father Culmer helped the poorly-established church become one of the most acclaimed congregations in the American South.
During his tenure as minister, he served on the Dade County
Senior Citizens Board, and headed Miami's Peaceful Integration committee. Culmer also was chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee of the Greater Miami Negro Civic League
, where he brought national attention to the deplorable housing and sanitation conditions of African Americans in Miami; this led to the building of the Liberty Square housing project, which opened in 1937.
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
and civil rights
African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)
The African-American Civil Rights Movement refers to the movements in the United States aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring voting rights to them. This article covers the phase of the movement between 1955 and 1968, particularly in the South...
leader, most notable for his work in Miami, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
An accomplished musician, Culmer attended Oskaloosa College
Oskaloosa College
Oskaloosa College was a liberal arts college based out of Oskaloosa, Iowa. The college was founded in 1857, and was affiliated with the Christian Church . It operated until the first part of the 20th century...
, where he received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in music. He received a bachelor of divinity degree from Bishop Payne Divinity School. He has also received honorary doctorates from Bethune-Cookman College and the Virginia Theological Seminary
Virginia Theological Seminary
Virginia Theological Seminary , formally called the Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia, is the largest accredited Episcopal seminary in the United States. Founded in 1818, VTS is situated on an campus in Alexandria, Virginia, just a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. VTS...
.
After leading a ministry in Tampa
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, in 1929, Culmer was transferred to the Saint Agnes
Saint Agnes
Agnes of Rome is a virgin–martyr, venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, the Anglican Communion, and Lutheranism. She is one of seven women, excluding the Blessed Virgin, commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass...
Church in Miami. At the church, Father Culmer helped the poorly-established church become one of the most acclaimed congregations in the American South.
During his tenure as minister, he served on the Dade County
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Miami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
Senior Citizens Board, and headed Miami's Peaceful Integration committee. Culmer also was chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee of the Greater Miami Negro Civic League
National Urban League
The National Urban League , formerly known as the National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes, is a nonpartisan civil rights organization based in New York City that advocates on behalf of African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States. It is the oldest and largest...
, where he brought national attention to the deplorable housing and sanitation conditions of African Americans in Miami; this led to the building of the Liberty Square housing project, which opened in 1937.