Rev. Alexander Wayman Ward Sr.
Alexander Wayman Ward was born in Garnett, Kansas in 1889, the son of an AME minister. He was the first Black graduate of the University of Denver, receiving his BA in 1911. He was ordained in the AME Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1912, and earned his BD from Wilberforce University in 1914, where he lettered in football. In 1915, Ward received his bachelor's degree in sacred theology from Yale Divinity School.
Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Chicago (1928-1950) - Over 1,000 parishioners
Presiding Elder of North District, Chicago Conference of AME Church (1949-1965)
Secretary of Colorado Conference of AME Church (1916-1926)
President of Colorado Springs NAACP (1918-1922)
Vice President, Church Federation of Greater Chicago
Delegate to World Methodist Conference (Oxford 1951, Oslo 1961)
Official Observer, World Council of Churches (New Delhi 1961)
Author of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Prayer
Rev. Ward lived through the Jim Crow era, both World Wars, and the early Civil Rights Movement. His work in founding and leading the Colorado Springs NAACP chapter (1918-1922) placed him at the forefront of civil rights activism.
Articles from Black newspapers like The Chicago Defender and other historical resources provide insight into life during this era. Additional historical context and newspaper articles will be added to this section.
Rev. A. Wayman Ward, 76, pastor of Bethel A.M.E. church for 21 years until he was named presiding elder of the North Chicago district of the African Methodist Episcopal church in 1949, died yesterday in his home, 4508 Forrestville Ave. The Rev. Mr. Ward was a native of Garnett, Kansas and was graduated from Denver University, Wilberforce University, and Yale University's divinity school. He was a member of the general board of the Church Federation of Greater Chicago, and a former vice president of the federation. - Chicago Tribune, June 29, 1965
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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Shriners, Masons, YMCA Leadership, Boy Scouts Leadership, Trustee of Western University (Kansas City, KS) and Wilberforce University