Clarence Cranford
Encyclopedia
Clarence Cranford was an American Baptist
pastor, church leader, and author.
He was born in 1913 in Los Angeles
, California
. Hill attended the University of Southern California
. He died in Claremont
, California on March 3, 2003.
.He planned to go law school but was offered a position at the Lake Avenue Baptist Church in Rochester
, New York
. Through this experience, he decided to enter the ministry and entered Colgate Rochester Divinity School
, from which he graduated in 1940. Hill was ordained at Lake Avenue Baptist on May 14, 1940.
where he served as pastor until 1943. He served as youth minister and then co-pastor at First Baptist Church of Pasadena from 1944 to 1954. In 1954, he returned to Lake Avenue Baptist Church in Rochester, where he served as senior pastor until 1971. From 1971 until 1986, he was senior pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.
, which had enough stature to be considered a church for President Jimmy Carter
.He retired in 1986, but was called to serve as interim pastor, starting in 1988, at The Riverside Church in New York City
, where he focused substantially on resolving fiscal issues at the church. He retired again from full-time ministry in 1989. In addition, Hill served on the board of the American Baptists
.
. In that capacity, he invited the Industrial Areas Foundation
to organize African-Americans, although many clergy came under significant pressure for this. Hill was given the American Baptist'sEdwin T. Dahlberg
Peace Award for this in 1985.
When Hill moved to Washington, D.C.
to pastor Calvary Baptist Church, he shifted somewhat to national politics. He came involved in, and eventually chairman, of the National Peace Academy Campaign, which resulted in the United States Institute of Peace
. Calvary was also located in a poorer neighborhood, which lead to the church opening a homeless shelter in its basement.
After retiring, he was active in Pastors for Peace.
In 1978, Hill led efforts to raise money for the bail of convicted spy Donald Humphrey.
American Baptist Churches USA
The American Baptist Churches USA is a Baptist Christian denomination within the United States. The denomination maintains headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The organization is usually considered mainline, although varying theological and mission emphases may be found among its...
pastor, church leader, and author.
He was born in 1913 in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Hill attended the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
. He died in Claremont
Claremont, California
Claremont is a small affluent college town in eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The population as of the 2010 census is 34,926. Claremont is known for its seven higher-education institutions, its...
, California on March 3, 2003.
Early Life
Hill was born in Los Angeles and majored in banking and finance at the University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
.He planned to go law school but was offered a position at the Lake Avenue Baptist Church in Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Through this experience, he decided to enter the ministry and entered Colgate Rochester Divinity School
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School is a theological college of Baptist origins. The present day school, which sits on the top of a hill in the beautiful setting of Highland Park in Rochester, New York is a product of several mergers....
, from which he graduated in 1940. Hill was ordained at Lake Avenue Baptist on May 14, 1940.
Pastoral positions
Hill's first church was Atwater Park Baptist Church in PasadenaPasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
where he served as pastor until 1943. He served as youth minister and then co-pastor at First Baptist Church of Pasadena from 1944 to 1954. In 1954, he returned to Lake Avenue Baptist Church in Rochester, where he served as senior pastor until 1971. From 1971 until 1986, he was senior pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, which had enough stature to be considered a church for President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
.He retired in 1986, but was called to serve as interim pastor, starting in 1988, at The Riverside Church in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he focused substantially on resolving fiscal issues at the church. He retired again from full-time ministry in 1989. In addition, Hill served on the board of the American Baptists
American Baptist Churches USA
The American Baptist Churches USA is a Baptist Christian denomination within the United States. The denomination maintains headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The organization is usually considered mainline, although varying theological and mission emphases may be found among its...
.
Activism
Hill engaged in a life of social activism grounded in his religious beliefs. For example, in the 40s, he opposed Japanese internment camps. Hill was President of the Rochester Council of Churches during the Rochester 1964 race riotRochester 1964 race riot
The Rochester 1964 riot was a riot that occurred in 1964 in Rochester, New York, in the United States. In the early evening of Friday, July 24, 1964, the Rochester Police Department attempted to arrest a 19 year-old intoxicated black male at a street block party and dance...
. In that capacity, he invited the Industrial Areas Foundation
Industrial Areas Foundation
The Industrial Areas Foundation is a national community organizing network established in 1940 by Saul Alinsky. IAF provides training and consultation, furnishes organizers, and develops national strategy for its affiliated broad-based community organizations. There are currently 57 IAF...
to organize African-Americans, although many clergy came under significant pressure for this. Hill was given the American Baptist'sEdwin T. Dahlberg
Edwin T. Dahlberg
Edwin T. Dahlberg was an American Baptist church leader. Rev. Dahlberg was known for his strong efforts to promote social justice and peacemaking.-Biography:...
Peace Award for this in 1985.
When Hill moved to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
to pastor Calvary Baptist Church, he shifted somewhat to national politics. He came involved in, and eventually chairman, of the National Peace Academy Campaign, which resulted in the United States Institute of Peace
United States Institute of Peace
The United States Institute of Peace was created by Congress as a non-partisan, federal institution that works to prevent or end violent conflict around the world...
. Calvary was also located in a poorer neighborhood, which lead to the church opening a homeless shelter in its basement.
After retiring, he was active in Pastors for Peace.
In 1978, Hill led efforts to raise money for the bail of convicted spy Donald Humphrey.