Durham, North Carolina, 1964 and later in 1967

Story by Susan Jackson

When I was 13, my father, Rev. Richard Jackson (a Caucasian minister) faced opposition to his performing a baptism on a black baby (Adam) in his Durham, North Carolina church - United Church of Christ (formerly Congregational). There were meetings where several white members of the congregation voiced objections (using Bible verses), but my father was determined to continue with the ceremony. On that particular Sunday, during the baptism, an old man stood up from the back of the congregation and said, "Rev. Jackson, I object to this happening! It goes against all that I believe in!" At which point my father said he would continue with the service, and he did. Approximately three years later, my father announced that that same man wished to address the congregation after the Sunday service. That same man stood up and said "I apologize for my actions regarding the baptism of that black baby in this church. I was wrong." And he sat down.  My father thanked him for his words.   

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