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VERNON JOHNS 
Vernon Johns was born in Darlington Heights, Virginia, on April 22, 1892
He was a controversial figure who often spoke out against Blacks as well as Whites. Despite being a preacher, he was not a believer in non-violence and believed in taking whatever action is necessary to achieve God-given or civil rights. He became the preacher of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery in 1948 and often upset its very conservative congregation. Titles of his sermons included "Segregation After Death", "Constructive (or Creative) Homicide", and "When The Rapist Is White". He strongly opposed segregation, on one occasion he refused to move into the 'Colored' section of a bus he was riding, and on another, walked into a 'White' restaurant and ordered a sandwich, knowing fully that he was putting his life at risk in doing so. In 1949 following a string of murders and other violent acts against blacks, Johns changed the name of his planned sermon to "It Is Safe To Kill Negroes In Montgomery". This outraged the white community and led to him being summoned before the grand jury. He believed that Black people should support each other economically and encouraged the Black people of Montgomery to sell produce such as fruit and vegetables to each other, instead of buying goods from the White man. He would sell fruit, vegetables and even fish to the congregation. Over time, his relationship with the board of deacons became increasingly strained and on several occasions, he resigned his position. The final straw came when he drove onto the campus of Alabama State University and sold a truckload of watermelons. The deacons were highly upset and the church finally accepted his fifth resignation. Vernon Johns moved back to Virginia, and in 1953 Dexter Avenue Baptist Church finally appointed their new preacher, a young man by the name of Martin Luther King. Links To Other Vernon Johns Internet Resources: The Life And Times Of The Prophet Vernon Johns: Father Of The Civil Rights Movement. Vernon Johns: Farmer, Preacher, Civil-Rights Pioneer. Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church - Vernon Johns. Vernon John's Sermon - Transfigured Moments SIGN UP TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTER If you would like us to keep you updated with changes and improvements to thatsalabama.com, please enter your email address here: If you would like to support thatsalabama.com with a donation via paypal, please click on this button: |
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