34 Facts About Washington Gladden

Washington Gladden was a leading American Congregational pastor and early leader in the Social Gospel movement.

Washington Gladden was a leading member of the Progressive Movement, serving for two years as a member of the Columbus, Ohio city council and campaigning against Boss Tweed as religious editor of the New York Independent.

Washington Gladden was a prolific writer who wrote hundreds of poems, hymns, articles, editorials, and books.

Washington Gladden was born February 11,1836, in Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania, the son of Solomon and Amanda Washington Gladden.

At 16, Washington Gladden left his uncle's farm to become an apprentice at the Owego Gazette.

In 1860, a pivotal year for Washington Gladden, he received his first call to a pastorate, which was followed by ordination, marriage, the secession of southern states, and the impending Civil War.

Washington Gladden's first call was to State Street Congregational Church in Brooklyn, New York.

Washington Gladden began his pastorate in June 1860 and was ordained in November.

Those events in Washington Gladden's life came during what he recalled as "ominous and exciting events" in the nation's life.

Washington Gladden's role was to write news articles and editorials on practical theology and the day's social issues.

From that position, Washington Gladden attained national fame, especially for his aid in exposing the corrupt organization of Boss Tweed.

In 1875, Washington Gladden became pastor of the North Congregational Church in Springfield, Massachusetts, for seven years.

Washington Gladden's position aroused the opposition of mill and factory owners, but he was not deterred and continued his work for justice the rest of his life.

Washington Gladden published Working People and their Employers in 1876, which advocated the unionization of employees, and was the first notable US clergyman to approve of unions.

Washington Gladden did not support socialism or laissez-faire but advocated instead the application of "Christian law" to issues.

Washington Gladden became the pastor of the First Congregational Church in Columbus, Ohio, in 1882 and served in that position for thirty-six years.

Washington Gladden advocated public ownership of streetcars and public utilities.

The more Washington Gladden addressed social issues, the more his church grew: from 500 in 1883 to 1,200 in 1914.

Washington Gladden exerted an international influence as the "father" of the Social Gospel movement.

Washington Gladden served a term on the Columbus City Council between 1900 and 1902 and became an advocate of municipal ownership of public works.

Washington Gladden was one of his nation's "most progressive leaders" in efforts to resolve what he called "The Negro Problem," both economically and politically.

Washington Gladden was Vice President of the American Missionary Association between 1894 and 1901 and served as its president between 1901 and 1904.

Washington Gladden was shocked at the condition of Southern blacks and started speaking out against racism.

Washington Gladden resigned as President of the American Missionary Association to take up a position as the Moderator of the National Council of the Congregational Churches of the United States in 1904.

In 1914, Washington Gladden retired and became "minister emeritus" of the First Congregational Church.

Washington Gladden remained active in other ways until he died of a stroke on July 2,1918.

Washington Gladden was buried at Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus.

The New York Times carried the news that "Washington Gladden, nationally known Congregational minister" had died.

Washington Gladden was predeceased by Jennie, his wife of 49 years, who died May 8,1909.

Historians assessing Washington Gladden's career emphasize the importance of his role in the Social Gospel movement.

Washington Gladden became the social gospel's "most revered and respected spokesman" Gladden not only promoted a "Social Gospel of practical action" by his writing and speaking, he engaged in practical action by working for solutions.

Washington Gladden supported workers' right to unionize, and he opposed racial segregation.

Washington Gladden never earned a theological degree, but he received 35 honorary doctorates.

Washington Gladden wrote hundreds of poems, hymns, articles, editorials, and books.