The Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus

The Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus

Presbytery Staff Liaison – Rev. Ralph Lowe, Director of Justice Ministries

Mission
What We Do
Learn More
Membership
December 2020 Newsletter – The Voice
Affiliated Churches & Board Members
Coleman-Patrick Scholarship


Mission 

The mission of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC) is to serve Jesus Christ, and enrich the black Presbyterian congregations and their communities, through our commitment to congregational enhancement, advocacy, social and racial justice; and challenging the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) when it fails to take seriously the needs of the poor, oppressed, and disenfranchised.


What We Do

The purpose of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus is to Enable–Equip–and Empower people of the African Diaspora, in dealing with current issues that adversely affect or that can enhance their lives in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and society. Persons of the African Diaspora are those throughout the world that are descended from the historic movement of peoples from Africa.

This purpose includes:

  • To promote church growth, including strengthening the spiritual life of black Presbyterian congregations, and individual members in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.);
  • To aggressively combat racism and injustice in the PC (U.S.A);
  • To monitor, advocate, and act on denominational, political, social, cultural, and economic issues affecting the NBPC constituency and the broader community, as appropriate;
  • To achieve full participation of its members in the total Church and society, with a particular emphasis on sensitively and creatively discerning the needs of youth, young adults and the elderly;
  • To vigorously promote the call of black clergywomen to viable and validated ministries including to serve as solo pastors; and enhance the awareness of the gifts of black clergywomen in the PC(USA); and
  • To be intentional in gathering historical data to document our African descendant / black Presbyterian history.


Learn More

We stand on the shoulders of our forebears born in Africa who were brought to these shores by brutal force against their wills.

Today we are a Prophetic Witness continuing to work intensively and intentionally at creating and maintaining a high degree of visibility.

This has been achieved by the formation of the Coleman/Patrick Scholarship Fund, named for two untiring warriors, Mr. Robert Coleman and The Rev. Dr. Leroy Patrick. Mr. Coleman served as the director of the Department of Church Community for the Synod of the Trinity for eleven years. Dr. Patrick who served as pastor of Bethesda Presbyterian Church for thirty-five years was instrumental in abolishing the segregated rules for Pittsburgh swimming pools, as well as addressing issues within the larger church.

An outgrowth of the Caucus, the Henry Highland Garnet Society was formed in 1999 to honor the first pastor of Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church. Henry Highland Garnet, born a slave, was a well educated abolitionist and an active member of the Underground Railroad in New York and Philadelphia. The Garnet Society has recognized several outstanding Pittsburgh citizens who have exemplified the life of Henry Highland Garnet.

In 2003 the City of Pittsburgh and the State of Pennsylvania proclaimed Sunday, February 16th as Henry Highland Garnet day. Also, portions of Iowa Street and Ewart Drive were renamed Henry Highland Garnet Boulevard.


Membership

View the 2021 Membership Campaign letter HERE.

Submit this this application form to become a member!


Affiliated Churches & Board Members

Bethesda Presbyterian Church
7220 Bennett Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
412-731-2294
Email

East Liberty Presbyterian Church
Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church
Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community
Riverview Presbyterian Church
Valley View Presbyterian Church
Waverly Presbyterian Church

Moderator Elder Elder Lenore Williams (East Liberty Presbyterian)
Vice Moderator Elder Rozalia Jordan (Grace Memorial Presbyterian)
Secretary, Milea Perry (Bidwell Presbyterian)
Treasurer Elder Alan Perry (Riverview Presbyterian)