DID YOU KNOW?

The all white United Church of Christ ordained it's first African American preacherin 1785. Rev Lemuel Haynes was licensed to preach in 1780 at age 27 and began preaching in several white churches in 1783. His first all white church was in Torrington, Ct, from this congregation he met and married his wife(she asked him to marry her). They had 10 children. He continued his ministry for 30 years preaching in Bennington,Vermont; Manchester, Vermont and Granville, New York.

Another first: He was given an honorary degree from Middlebury College in 1804 at its second commencement.

Died 1836 at age 80.