Johnnie Colemon(February 18, 1920 – December 23, 2014) was an influential minister and teacher in theNew Thoughtmovement. She is often referred to as the “First Lady of New Thought”.[4]Colemon founded several large organizations within the African-AmericanNew Thoughtmovement, including Christ Universal Temple (CUT)[5]and theUniversal Foundation for Better Living(UFBL).[6]The Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary is named in her honor.[7]
Johnnie Colemon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Johnnie Haley[1] February 18, 1920 |
| Died | December 23, 2014(aged 94) |
| Education | BA (1943) |
| Alma mater | Wiley College |
| Occupation | Theologian & Megachurch Pastor |
| Known for | New Thought Movement |
| Spouse(s) | Richard Colemon[2] Don Nedd[2] Leon C. Blair[3] |
| Website | UFBL Leadership CUT Founder |
Colemon was born to John and Lula Haley[8]inCenterville, Alabama,on February 18, 1920[9]but her family moved toColumbus, Mississippi,at an early age, and she identified more with that location as her birthplace, leading others to misidentify Columbus, Mississippi as her place of origin.[10]She attended Union Academy High School[11]and graduated fromWiley Collegewith a Bachelor of Arts in 1943.[1]She then taught at schools in Mississippi and Chicago.[12]
After being diagnosed with an incurable disease,[13]Colemon had a crisis of faith deciding to attendUnity School of Christianity.Colemon was the third Black student ordained as aUnity Ministerin 1956.[14]While a student atUnity School,Colemon like all Black students at the time, was told she could not live on campus. For two years, Colemon commuted 15 miles each way to the YWCA in Kansas City before the campus was desegregated.[14]
Colemon founded Christ Unity Temple, later Christ Universal Temple, a Chicago-basedmegachurch.[5]In 1974 Colemon founded theUniversal Foundation for Better Living,in response to racism experienced as part of Unity,[14]"an international association of Bible-based New Thought Christian churches, centers, and study groups."[6]She received aCandace Awardfrom theNational Coalition of 100 Black Womenin 1987.[15]
Christ Universal Temple under Colemon became the largest and one of the most influential churches in Chicago. When built it became the first mega church on the South Side.[16]The church was the site of the funeral of Chicago MayorHarold Washington.[17]Barack Obamaspoke at the church both as senator and president.[18]
Colemon served as Director of the Chicago Port Authority and Commissioner of the Chicago Transit Authority Oversight Committee,[19]recognition as one of Chicago’s Living Legends by the Institute for African American Youth Development. She was honored by DuSable Museum as an African American History Maker.[20]
Colemon retired in 2006.[5][21]She died at Mercy Hospital in Chicago on December 23, 2014, at the age of 94.[9][22]She is interred in Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago.
References
edit- ^abAaseng, Nathan (2003).African-American Religious Leaders: A-Z of African Americans.Infobase Publishing. p. 45.ISBN9781438107813.
- ^abSmith, Jessie Carney (1996).Notable Black American Women.VNR AG. p. 130.ISBN9780810391772.
- ^Ihejirika, Maudlyne; O'Donnell, Maureen (December 24, 2014)."News Johnnie Colemon, founder of Christ Universal Temple, dies".Chicago Sun Times.Archived fromthe originalon December 27, 2014.RetrievedDecember 27,2014.
- ^O'Connell, By Patrick M. (24 December 2014)."Rev. Johnnie Colemon, Chicago megachurch founder, dies at 94".chicagotribune.Retrieved2020-08-10.
- ^abcJohnnie ColmonArchived2014-08-10 at theWayback Machine,CUT Founder Biography, accessed July 21, 2014.
- ^abUFBL Leadership, accessed July 21, 2014ArchivedDecember 25, 2014, at theWayback Machine.
- ^JCTS web site, accessed July 21, 2014.ArchivedJuly 26, 2014, at theWayback Machine
- ^"Reverend Dr. Johnnie Colemon".TheHistoryMakers.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
- ^ab"Rev.Johnnie Colemon, Chicago megachurch founder, dies at 94".Chicago Tribune.December 23, 2014.RetrievedDecember 27,2014.
- ^Banchero, Stephanie (June 27, 1997)."Self-fulfilling Faith Of Johnnie Colemon".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedDecember 27,2014.
- ^"Reverend Dr. Johnnie Colemon".TheHistoryMakers. June 15, 2000.RetrievedDecember 27,2014.
- ^Simmons, Martha; Thomas, Frank A. (2010).Preaching with Sacred Fire: An Anthology of African American Sermons, 1750 to the Present.W. W. Norton & Company. p.634.ISBN9780393058314.
Johnnie Colemon bachelor of arts.
- ^"New Thought Branches: UFBL and Johnnie Colemon | Truth Unity".truthunity.net.Retrieved2022-09-14.
- ^abc"Unity Faces Its History of Racism | Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing".unitylansing.org.Retrieved2022-09-14.
- ^"CANDACE AWARD RECIPIENTS 1982-1990, Page 2".National Coalition of 100 Black Women.Archived fromthe originalon March 14, 2003.
- ^"Mega Church Where Harold Washington's Funeral Was Held Turns 60".DNAinfo Chicago.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-11-15.Retrieved2022-09-14.
- ^"Mega Church Where Harold Washington's Funeral Was Held Turns 60".DNAinfo Chicago.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-11-15.Retrieved2020-08-10.
- ^Hope, Leah (2015-01-05)."Dr. Johnnie Colemon, founder of Christ Universal Temple, remembered at memorial".ABC7 Chicago.Retrieved2020-08-10.
- ^staff, Sun-Times (2014-12-24)."Johnnie Colemon, founder of Christ Universal Temple, dies".Chicago Sun-Times.Retrieved2020-08-10.
- ^Houston, Pastor Robert Earl (2014-12-24)."Homegoing of a Saint – Dr. Johnnie Coleman, Chicago, Illinois".THE WIRE.Archived fromthe originalon 2020-08-13.Retrieved2020-08-10.
- ^Brachear, Manya (January 3, 2011)."Christ Universal Temple leader stepping down".Chicago Tribune.
In 2006, after building a $10 million religious empire, Colemon retired with no succession plan in place.
- ^staff, Sun-Times (2016-06-24)."Johnnie Colemon, founder of Christ Universal Temple, dies".Chicago Sun-Times.Retrieved2021-10-21.