Graylan Hagler
Encyclopedia
Rev. Graylan Hagler is an African-American pastor and activist. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Hagler received a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Oberlin College, Ohio, in 1976. Three years later, he received his Masters of Divinity degree from The Chicago Theological Seminary
. On 3 February 1980, Hagler was ordained in the United Church of Christ
and was recognized with full standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
the following year. The Rev. Mr. Hagler is presently the Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, Washington, D.C.
, and National President of Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice
(MRSEJ).
and opposition to racism
. He campaigned to protect citizens from unconstitutional and illegal police practices and to safeguard democratic participation in the selection and election of political leadership. He also led the Free South Africa Movement to force divestiture of dollars from the support of the Apartheid system.
In 1992, Reverend Hagler moved to Washington, D.C.
, where today he is the Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ
and continues to preach and organize. He has fought the proliferation of liquor stores in the Black community and has insisted on community participation in development issues. In 1993 he opposed the Exxon Corporation's
plans to build a ‘super gas station’ in the neighborhood where he lives and where his Church is located. In 2003, Reverend Hagler broke ground on that same Exxon site after acquiring the property. Instead of a ‘super station,’ 69 units of subsidized apartments for the elderly opened in February 2005. Reverend Hagler worked to preserve the only publicly funded hospital in the District of Columbia, organized a successful effort to oppose the death penalty from being instituted by the United States Congress
on the District, and continues the fight against public school vouchers, which he sees as a plan to divert funds from public education to private schools.
Reverend Hagler is on the Steering and Administrative Committee of United for Peace and Justice
, a national coalition working to oppose aspects of U.S. foreign policy that the group believes contribute to war and aggression. Reverend Hagler is the Development Director of the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America
(NACA), the largest neighborhood stabilization organization in the United States, which helps working class people become homeowners. Reverend Hagler is chaplain to Local 25, Washington, D.C. of the Hotel Employees, Restaurant Employees/UNITE. He believes in the dignity and worth of workers and continually strives to support that principle.
Chicago Theological Seminary
The Chicago Theological Seminary is a seminary of the United Church of Christ. It prepares women and men for leadership in the church and society through Master of Divinity , Master of Arts in Religious Studies , Master of Sacred Theology , Doctor of Ministry , and Doctor of Philosophy programs...
. On 3 February 1980, Hagler was ordained in the United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
and was recognized with full standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church is a Mainline Protestant denomination in North America. It is often referred to as The Christian Church, The Disciples of Christ, or more simply as The Disciples...
the following year. The Rev. Mr. Hagler is presently the Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 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....
, and National President of Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice
Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice
The Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice are an association of Christian ministers that actively pursues political resolution of Racial, Social and Economic Justice issues. MRS EJ is the clergy component of the African-American historically under represented peoples of the United...
(MRSEJ).
Ministry
In 1980, he founded a congregation in Boston, Massachusetts, and in 1991 ran for Mayor of that city. During his 12 years as a pastor in Boston, a racially charged setting, Reverend Hagler’s work was one of empowermentEmpowerment
Empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social, racial, educational, gender or economic strength of individuals and communities...
and opposition to racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
. He campaigned to protect citizens from unconstitutional and illegal police practices and to safeguard democratic participation in the selection and election of political leadership. He also led the Free South Africa Movement to force divestiture of dollars from the support of the Apartheid system.
In 1992, Reverend Hagler 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....
, where today he is the Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
and continues to preach and organize. He has fought the proliferation of liquor stores in the Black community and has insisted on community participation in development issues. In 1993 he opposed the Exxon Corporation's
Exxon
Exxon is a chain of gas stations as well as a brand of motor fuel and related products by ExxonMobil. From 1972 to 1999, Exxon was the corporate name of the company previously known as Standard Oil Company of New Jersey or Jersey Standard....
plans to build a ‘super gas station’ in the neighborhood where he lives and where his Church is located. In 2003, Reverend Hagler broke ground on that same Exxon site after acquiring the property. Instead of a ‘super station,’ 69 units of subsidized apartments for the elderly opened in February 2005. Reverend Hagler worked to preserve the only publicly funded hospital in the District of Columbia, organized a successful effort to oppose the death penalty from being instituted by the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
on the District, and continues the fight against public school vouchers, which he sees as a plan to divert funds from public education to private schools.
Reverend Hagler is on the Steering and Administrative Committee of United for Peace and Justice
United for Peace and Justice
United for Peace and Justice is a coalition of more than 1,300 international and U.S.-based organizations opposed to "our government's policy of permanent warfare and empire-building."...
, a national coalition working to oppose aspects of U.S. foreign policy that the group believes contribute to war and aggression. Reverend Hagler is the Development Director of the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America
Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America
NACA is a Boston-based, national, HUD Certified, non-profit, community advocacy organization. NACA’s goal is to build healthy neighborhoods nationwide through affordable home ownership. It was founded by Bruce Marks, a former Federal Reserve Bank of New York official, in 1988...
(NACA), the largest neighborhood stabilization organization in the United States, which helps working class people become homeowners. Reverend Hagler is chaplain to Local 25, Washington, D.C. of the Hotel Employees, Restaurant Employees/UNITE. He believes in the dignity and worth of workers and continually strives to support that principle.