Faith to Freedom Daily: Rev. Daniel Payne
1811-1893
“I am opposed to slavery, not because it enslaves the black man, but because it enslaves man. And were all the slaveholders in this land men of color, and the slaves white men, I would be as thorough and uncompromising an abolitionist as I now am.”
Founded Wilberforce University
Rev. Payne became the sixth bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church. He grew up in South Carolina and later studied in Philadelphia.
A strong abolitionist, Bishop Payne participated in the Philadelphia Vigilance Committee, headed by David Ruggles. Payne also personally helped runaways move towards freedom.
In 1856 Bishop Payne founded Wilberforce University, becoming the first black president of a college in the US. Wilberforce was also the first black owned and operated college in the country. He served as president for 13 years.
Bishop Payne’s stepson, Peter Clark, was active in fighting for the rights of blacks in Cincinnati and may have helped runaways escape. Peter Clark also worked to provide quality education for black students in Cincinnati.
Today, the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center is located on the original campus of Wilberforce University.
Reverend Daniel Payne
1811-1893
“I am opposed to slavery, not because it enslaves the black man, but because it enslaves man. And were all the slaveholders in this land men of color, and the slaves white men, I would be as thorough and uncompromising an abolitionist as I now am.”
Founded Wilberforce University
Rev. Payne became the sixth bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church. He grew up in South Carolina and later studied in Philadelphia.
A strong abolitionist, Bishop Payne participated in the Philadelphia Vigilance Committee, headed by David Ruggles. Payne also personally helped runaways move towards freedom.
In 1856 Bishop Payne founded Wilberforce University, becoming the first black president of a college in the US. Wilberforce was also the first black owned and operated college in the country. He served as president for 13 years.
Bishop Payne’s stepson, Peter Clark, was active in fighting for the rights of blacks in Cincinnati and may have helped runaways escape. Peter Clark also worked to provide quality education for black students in Cincinnati.
Today, the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center is located on the original campus of Wilberforce University.
