The Most Segregated Hour in America

Black people, White people, Nigerians, gay men, lesbian couples, children, old people, couples and singles and families, Democrats and Republicans – that’s who you will see at Park Hill United Methodist Church on a Sunday morning. But, you might ask, “Isn’t 11 o’clock on Sunday morning the most segregated hour in America? Didn’t Park Hill get the memo?”

In fact, Park Hill UMC decided to listen to another memo, the one that said, “Jesus died for us all,” that “We are to love all people, even those who are different from us.” A pretty powerful memo, with pretty vivid illustrations, even if you don’t happen to celebrate your spirituality in a Christian way. And isn’t that message of unity and acceptance and hope refreshing in this era of political wrangling and financial fear?

The question is, how has Park Hill UMC managed to succeed where so many churches have failed? How did they desegregate their congregation and how have they kept “living” integration throughout the years when so many other churches-- even those churches right in Park Hill who also gave integration a shot -- remain bastions of segregated Whites or Blacks or Latinos? How has Park Hill UMC managed to break down the walls? To take power and privilege and entitlement to task on a regular basis in their search for God’s light and love?

Park Hill UMC’s journey toward desegregation did not begin as a result of community support or in a time of peace. It began at a point in history that was wracked with divisions and fears and questions and rebellions. The journey began during Dr. Carlton Babbs’ tenure as senior pastor (1955-1974) -- a time when Dr. Martin Luther King and his father preached at Park Hill, advocating for the rights of Black Americans, and when, on a much larger stage, Dr. King, Jr. gave his “I have a dream” speech. It was a time when Black children walked gauntlets lined with hating White people in their efforts to obtain a quality education. One of those children, Carlotta Walls (now Lanier) ultimately became a member of Park Hill UMC. It was also a time when America was fighting a war in Vietnam, and, in response, many people rioted and looted in protest here at home. It was the time when President Nixon resigned in the face of imminent impeachment following Watergate. And it was the time in Denver when buses were bombed and school board members were threatened in the face of court orders to desegregate schools. Perhaps the tumult reflected people’s refusal to accept the status quo. It certainly seems to have reflected a need for change.

Park Hill UMC decided to take seriously Martin Luther King’s words, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” Marilyn McGraw, Park Hill UMC’s first woman minister in the early 60’s, attributes some of Park Hill’s success at integration to the personality of Dr. Babbs, the minister from 1955 to 1974, who she described as a “benevolent dictator,” committed to doing the right thing and to pushing others to do the same, regardless of push back from his congregation.

The current pastor, John Thompson, agrees. Dr. Babbs, he says, caught the social justice bug early, and became determined that his church would desegregate. But he didn’t do it without planning and preparation. After inviting Black people to the church from the surrounding neighborhoods, he met individually with key White families in the church to prepare them to be welcoming. He preached sermons to prepare the congregation prior to the first Black family’s visit. And he hand-picked the first Black visitors, choosing the “crème of the crop, who were progressive, strong, and brilliant.”

Dr. Babbs was determined to do the right thing, even when, as a result of the new Black members, 1000 White members, one quarter of the church membership, left the church. His reputation took a hit, and he sustained emotional and physical costs. But he was willing to pay the price. His focus was on those members who stayed, and on those who were attracted to the church because of its social justice commitments. Clearly, sacrifice was necessary on many fronts.

But as Pastor John points out, in addition to Dr. Babb’s sacrifices and determination, “It was the right place, the right time, and for the right reasons.” Dr. Babb’s efforts mirrored other movements around the country and gave voice to passions that already existed. Church members “knew they were involved in something important” and committed to the birth of a new reality. As a result, important conversations emerged. People were forced to become good listeners, learning from others by really hearing them.

Soon integration and social justice became part of the DNA of the church, “part of who we are,” something that people worked at in an ongoing way. It was always treading on thin ice, always a struggle, and always required energy and effort. But members refused to submit to anger and fear, and committed to being proactive for what was human and righteous. “It is something that we can never take it for granted,” says Pastor John.

So, what is it that keeps the church integrated after all this time, long after other Park Hill churches have reverted to Whiteness? Pastor John points to the need for both Black and White leaders to grace the front of the church each Sunday and to be part of leadership boards and committees; to the need for the church to be intentional about integration, to include diverse music and forms of worship in the services. “We need to affirm people in the congregation who are not from the dominant culture. We need to live into what we proclaim,” he says.

Perhaps the answer to the question, “Didn’t Park Hill UMC get the memo?” is, “Why haven’t other churches gotten the memo?” Shouldn’t we all get this memo? Isn’t it a critical memo if we want our children to grow up in caring, responsible communities in which all people are treated fairly and are respected for who they are and what they have achieved, rather than for the color of their skin or how much money they have or who their parents are? Can we afford not to raise our children in integrated institutions when it is clear that we are becoming a global economy, and when many predict that the future will require all of us to interact and work well with people of different races and colors and ages and experiences? Isn’t this what Jesus communicated in the Story of the Good Samaritan, and what Paul communicated when ministering to the Gentiles (rather than to the Jews who were considered to be the “chosen race”)?

Let’s get this memo out to everyone we know. Let’s break down the barriers that divide us and celebrate what joins us together. Let’s be wise and caring in our debates and differences, preparing ourselves to hear one another and learn from one another – even if we don’t entirely agree. Let’s develop civility and caring for the “person” of the other, even if we can’t agree with all of their politics. Let’s develop interpersonal peace -- I believe that to be the foundation of a larger peace throughout the world.