Reverends

Wesley F. Graham (1858–1932) was a significant figure in the African American religious and civic landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Scott County, Mississippi, to a farming family, Graham’s early life took him across several Southern states, including Tennessee and Arkansas, before he settled in Lee County, Arkansas. His formal education was shaped by public schools in Tennessee and Arkansas, followed by studies at Branch Normal College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and Wayland Seminary in Washington, D.C., from which he graduated with honors in 1883. Graham’s spiritual journey began at the First Baptist Church in Forest City, Arkansas, where he was baptized in 1874. After becoming a licensed preacher in 1877, he quickly ascended within the church hierarchy, eventually taking leadership roles in various Baptist churches, most notably the Third Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, and the Fifth Street Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. At Fifth Street, Graham oversaw substantial growth, both in membership and financial stability, baptizing hundreds of individuals during his tenure.

In addition to his pastoral work, Graham was an influential leader in the broader African American community. His oratory skills and commitment to education set him apart, earning him recognition not only as a spiritual leader but also as a civic and financial contributor. He played a prominent role in several institutions, including serving as the president of the American Beneficial Life Insurance Company, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mechanics' Savings Bank, and as first vice-president of the Virginia Baptist State Convention. He was also involved with the Virginia Seminary, advocating for the education and upliftment of African Americans. His influence extended to Richmond’s social and political spheres, where he lived in proximity to notable figures such as Maggie L. Walker on Leigh St.'s Quality Row, he lived at 108 E Leigh St. His work was regularly featured in the Richmond Planet, reflecting his active engagement with the African American press. After leaving Richmond in 1909, Graham became the pastor of Holy Trinity Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where he remained until his death in 1932. Throughout his life, Graham exemplified the intersection of religious devotion, educational advocacy, and community leadership, cementing his legacy as a key figure in the African American church and broader societal movements of his time.

Graham’s family life was equally significant, as he was married to Josephine A. Graham, a prominent community leader who was active in various civic organizations, including the Pythian Courts, Willing Workers Club, and Macedonia Club. Together, they had a daughter, Ottie B. Graham, who became a graduate of Howard University and a celebrated author during the Harlem Renaissance.

William Herbert Stokes, born on November 11, 1872, in Lunenburg Court House, Virginia, was a dedicated pastor, educator, and community leader whose influence extended beyond his church. The son of Moses Stokes, a deacon at the Tussekiah Baptist Church, Stokes faced early adversity after his father's death, which led him to assume significant responsibilities at a young age. With the guidance and ambition of his mother, Cheney Woods, he overcame financial difficulties, working during the day as a market huckster while attending the YMCA night school. His religious calling, fostered from childhood, led him to commit to preaching the Gospel at the age of seven. Stokes was ordained in 1898 by the First Baptist Church of Richmond and embarked on a path of rigorous education, attending Wayland Seminary in Washington, D.C., and later the Richmond Theological Seminary, where he earned his B.D. degree in 1899.

Stokes' academic achievements continued as he attended Virginia Union University, earning his B.A. in 1903, his M.A. in 1904, and his Ph.D. in 1906. In 1902, he succeeded to the pastorate of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Richmond, a position he held continuously for the rest of his life. Under his leadership, the church underwent significant growth, with a remodeled building and a membership that expanded to 1,800 members. Additionally, Stokes developed linguistic expertise, studying Hebrew under Rabbi Calisch of Richmond and being asked to teach Greek and Hebrew at Virginia Union University.

Beyond his pastoral duties, Dr. Stokes was a committed social activist and philanthropist. His work extended into various civic organizations, including the Second Street Savings Bank, the Smallwood-Corey Institute, and the Blue Stone and Harmony Academy. He was also involved with the Southern Sociological Congress, the National Conference of Social Work, and the Virginia State Board of Charity. His efforts in supporting prohibition, war drives, and various charitable institutions earned him recognition, including a loving cup from friends for his advocacy of prohibition. Within the Baptist denomination, Stokes held key roles, including Vice-Chairman of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Board, Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and Editor of the Lott Carey Herald. His influence extended into various secret orders, including the Masons and Odd Fellows, and he contributed to the church community by authoring two catechisms and lecturing on modern church issues. Stokes was also a devoted family man, marrying Ora E. Brown in 1902.

Ora Brown Stokes Perry was a distinguished educator, social activist, and clubwoman based in Richmond, Virginia. Born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, she was the daughter of Rev. James E. Brown and Olivia Knight Quarles Brown. She received her education at Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, Hartshorn Memorial College, and the University of Chicago. In 1917, she was denied admission to the Richmond School of Social Economy due to her race, highlighting the racial barriers she faced in her educational pursuits. She began her career as a schoolteacher in Milford, Virginia, before becoming a Richmond First Lady; becoming involved in various social and civic organizations, such as co-founding the Richmond Neighborhood Association in 1912, at 502 W Clay St, and advocating for vocational training and housing for African-American women through the Home for Working Girls.

Stokes Perry’s career was marked by her dedication to social justice and community service. As a probation officer for black women and girls in Richmond’s juvenile courts, she worked to improve the lives of marginalized populations. During World War I, she chaired the Colored Women's Section, National Defense of Virginia, and organized the National Protective League for Negro Girls. She was also involved in the suffrage movement, leading Virginia's Negro Women's League of Voters after the League of Women Voters in Virginia refused to include black women. Stokes Perry held various leadership roles in civic organizations, including serving as president of the Southeastern Association of Colored Women's Clubs and as chair of the Colored Women's Department of the Republican National Committee. She also became a prominent figure in national organizations, such as the National Youth Administration, the National Race Congress, and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. She was also Regimental Mother for Camp Lee and organized the National Protective League for Negro Girls and the Camp Fire Girls, known as Regimental Sisters, for Camp Lee. Upon these, she was also president of the Improved Order Shepards and Daughters of Bethlehem, a social and benevolent organization.

Stokes Perry's personal life was marked by two marriages. She first married William Herbert Stokes, a minister at Richmond's Ebenezer Baptist Church, in 1902. After his death in 1936, she remarried in 1948 to J. Edward Perry, a physician and hospital administrator. She passed away in 1957 at the age of 75. Her legacy as an educator, social reformer, and advocate for African-American women’s rights continues to be celebrated, with her name being added to the Virginia Women’s Monument's Wall of Honor in 2018.