John T. Walker
Encyclopedia
John Thomas Walker was Bishop
of Washington from 1977 to 1989 in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington
. From 1978 to 1989, he also served as Dean of Washington National Cathedral
. Previously, he served as Bishop Coadjutor from 1976 to 1977 and Bishop Suffragan from 1971 to 1976. He was the first African-American Bishop of Washington.
Bishop Walker was born in Barnesville, Georgia
and brought up in Detroit. He was the first African American to be admitted as a student to the Virginia Theological Seminary
in 1951. Bishop Walker first came to Washington as the Canon of Washington National Cathedral
.
He earned a world reputation for social activism and was a good friend of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
. He was once arrested at a protest rally against apartheid at the South African Embassy. From 1975 until his death in 1989, Bishop Walker served as President of the Board of Directors of Africare
. The organization now presents the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award
each year in his honor.
To honor the first African-American Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and all of his contributions, The Bishop John T. Walker School is scheduled to open in September 2008. It will be established as a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school for boys in Southeast, Washington, D.C.. It has been founded by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and each year a grade will be added until the school has reached its first graduating 8th grade class in 2017-2018.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Washington from 1977 to 1989 in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Episcopal Diocese of Washington is the ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Episcopal Bishop of Washington in the United States. The territory comprises the District of Columbia and the Maryland counties of Charles, St. Mary's, Prince George's and Montgomery...
. From 1978 to 1989, he also served as Dean of Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
. Previously, he served as Bishop Coadjutor from 1976 to 1977 and Bishop Suffragan from 1971 to 1976. He was the first African-American Bishop of Washington.
Bishop Walker was born in Barnesville, Georgia
Barnesville, Georgia
Barnesville is a city in Lamar County, Georgia, United States. The city is a part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 6,755. The city is the county seat of Lamar County....
and brought up in Detroit. He was the first African American to be admitted as a student to 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...
in 1951. Bishop Walker first came to Washington as the Canon of Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
.
He earned a world reputation for social activism and was a good friend of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Mpilo Tutu is a South African activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid...
. He was once arrested at a protest rally against apartheid at the South African Embassy. From 1975 until his death in 1989, Bishop Walker served as President of the Board of Directors of Africare
Africare
Africare is a non-profit organization based in the United States which provides development aid for Africa. Africare was founded in 1970 by former Peace Corps members who had worked in eastern Niger, as well as a Nigerian diplomat. Africare now provides aid for approximately 25 countries in every...
. The organization now presents the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award
Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award
The Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award is an award presented annually by Africare to recognize those whose work has made a significant impact on raising the standard of living in Africa. The award is named after John T. Walker, former Episcopal Bishop of Washington,...
each year in his honor.
To honor the first African-American Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and all of his contributions, The Bishop John T. Walker School is scheduled to open in September 2008. It will be established as a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school for boys in Southeast, Washington, D.C.. It has been founded by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and each year a grade will be added until the school has reached its first graduating 8th grade class in 2017-2018.