Per The Associated Press, The Rev. James Lawson Jr., an apostle of nonviolent protest who schooled activists to withstand brutal reactions from white authorities as the Civil Rights Movement gained traction, has died, his family said Monday. He was 95.

Services for Rev. Lawson

Memphis

Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., Centenary United Methodist Church, 584 E. McLemore Ave., Memphis, TN 38106

Singers and Musicians: Contact Cynthia Haley at 901-482-1607 if you would participate with the music ministry. Please share this invitation with your congregation!

Keynote Speakers:

• Rev. Ed Sanders, Pastor of Interdenominational Church
• Clara Ester, National Vice President of the United Women in Faith, Vice President for People United to Advance the Dream, and Civil Rights Activist
• Dr. Forrest Harris, President of American Baptist College
• Dr. Phillis Sheppard, Executive Director of the James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements at Vanderbilt University
• Bishop William McAlilly
• Dr. Deborah B. Smith, Metro District Superintendent
• Mayor Paul Young
• And more…

Los Angeles (stream recordings)

Lawson’s History with Centenary

In the 1960s, Centenary’s role in the community, was vital, led by its 33-year-old pastor, Dr. James Lawson. Dr. Lawson taught non-violence tactics to national movement leaders and led many movement sit-ins. Youth members in the church were urged to become social activists, and being committed to action, made lasting contributions to the cause. In 1966, Centenary served as the site for strategic planning to ensure that James Meredith’s 220-mile March Against Fear, from Memphis to Jackson, MS continued after Meredith, the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi, was shot. Centenary member, Atty. A. W. Willis, Jr., was Meredith’s local lawyer. Centenary quickly became a positive presence and was viewed as a center for civil rights action after moving to its present location at 584 E. McLemore Avenue in 1967.

When longstanding tensions between black sanitation workers and city officials erupted in February of 1968, Rev. Lawson held meetings with the mayor of Memphis to urge him to provide decent working conditions. Dangerous working conditions did not improve, and the sanitation workers met at Centenary to call for a strike. Dr. Lawson invited Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to come to the city to provide aid to the sanitation workers. Dr. King was shot and killed on the second-floor balcony of the Lorraine Hotel on April 4, 1968, before he could lead a second march in support of the workers. Centenary member, Robert Lewis, Jr., prepared Dr. King’s body for burial, at his funeral home on Vance Street. After the tragic death of Dr. King, several national news agencies broadcast Centenary church services to the world. His death also led to the founding of Memphis Area Legal Services at Centenary, by a group of black activist attorneys. On April 23, 1968, Centenary became a part of the United Methodist Church. Dr. Lawson served as pastor from 1961-1974.