Finding aid for the Reverend Wade H. and Mrs. Ruth B. McKinney Papers

Biography of Reverend Wade H. and Mrs. Ruth B. McKinney

Reverend Wade Hampton McKinney (1892-1963) distinguished himself both in religious and civic affairs. He was born in White County, Georgia, on July 19, 1892 to Wade and Mary B. McKinney. Wade Hampton McKinney attended Atlanta Baptist College Academy, Morehouse College, and the Colgate Rochester Theological Seminary. His education was interrupted for a year while he served in the United States Army during World War I. Upon his return, he completed his education at Morehouse College.

In 1923, after graduating and obtaining his degree from Colgate Rochester Seminary, Reverend McKinney became the pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Flint, Michigan. During his ministry there, he married Annie Ruth Berry. Also while in Flint, two sons, Wade Hampton III and Samuel Berry, were born. Twin daughters, Virginia Ruth and Mary Louise, were born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1932.

In 1928, at the age of thirty-six, he was asked to come to Cleveland, Ohio, to become the seventh pastor of Antioch Baptist Church. Under his leadership, the membership of Antioch, then located at East 24th Street and Central Avenue, grew from approximately 700 to more than 3,000. In 1945, Reverend McKinney organized the Credit Union which grew to become the largest Protestant Credit Union in Ohio, boasting assets of more than $360,000.00. As the need for a new church location became necessary, he led the congregation to its present site at East 89th Street and Cedar Avenue. An ever increasing membership led to the dedication of the "McKinney Youth Center" in 1959. The unit includes a recreational hall, a nursery, twenty-two classrooms, a projector room, and library space.

Reverend McKinney participated in both local and national church organizations. He served as President of the Cleveland Baptist Association and the Cuyahoga Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Area Church Federation. In 1947, he attended the Baptist World Alliance in Copenhagen, Denmark, and in 1955 he was a delegate to the 50th Baptist World Alliance in London, England. Shortly afterwards, he attended the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Centennial in Paris, France.

His services and ministry extended far beyond the work of his church. He was active in many of the social and civic agencies which concerned the welfare of Cleveland and he worked with several business enterprises designed to increase the economic status of poor people.

Reverend McKinney was one of the founders of the Future Outlook League which opened many jobs formerly closed to African Americans. He helped organize the Cleveland Business League and the Mt. Pleasant Community Council. During World War II he served on Selective Service Board number 19. Reverend McKinney was a member of the Budget and Policy Committee of the Welfare Federation of Cleveland. He helped organize the Quincy Savings and Loan Company and was the founding force behind the Forest City Hospital. Many successful voter registration campaigns were led by Reverend McKinney. He served on the Mayor's Committee under Mayor Frank Lausche. Also, Reverend McKinney was a member of the Board of Directors of the Cedar Branch of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), serving most of the timie as chairman and a trustee of the Metropolitan YMCA. Reverend McKinney holds the honor of being the first African American foreman of the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury. It was during his term that a crusade against gambling was launched.

Wade Hampton McKinney died in Cleveland, Ohio, on January 18, 1963, after serving as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church for over thirty-four years.

Ruth Berry McKinney (1900-1966) was born Annie Ruth Berry to Reverend and Mrs. Samuel Berry in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 24, 1900. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Spelman College and did graduate work at Columbia University. She taught for three years at Roger Williams University in Nashville, Tennessee, and at Jackson College in Jackson, Mississippi.

In 1924 she married Wade Hampton McKinney who was then a minister in Flint, Michigan. In 1928, when the family came to Cleveland, Mrs. McKinney became actively involved in church and community affairs.

At Antioch Baptist Church, she was a Sunday School teacher in the Beginner Department, an active member of the Missionary Society, and for thirty-five years she directed the Young People's Choir.

Always active in the affairs of religious organizations in Cleveland and across the nation, Mrs. McKinney was a past president of the Cleveland Baptist Women's Council. She was second vice-president of the American Baptist Convention. Her other offices included vice-president for Christian Service of the National Council of American Baptist Women, Chairman of the Spiritual Life Committee of the Cleveland Council of Church Women, member of the Executive Board of the United Church Women of the National Council of Church in Christ in America, member of the Commission on Religion and Race of the Ohio Council of Churches, and member of the Women's Committee of the Baptist World Alliance.

Mrs. McKinney was in great demand as a speaker. Beginning in 1952, she broadcasted one minute radio "Thot-O-Grams" under the auspices of the United Church Women of Cleveland. She served as devotional leader at numerous retreats and churches, at home and abroad. In 1955 she attended the Baptist World Alliance with her husband in London, England. Later, she toured the American Baptist Foreign Mission Stations in India, Burma, and throughout the Near East.

Mrs. Ruth Berry McKinney died in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 4, 1966.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Reverend Wade H. and Mrs. Ruth B. McKinney

Scope and Content

The Reverend Wade H. and Mrs. Ruth B. McKinney Papers, 1898-1966 and undated, consist of biographical materials, correspondence, sermons, speeches, "Thot-O-Grams," financial, printed and miscellaneous papers, and papers relating to Antioch Baptist Church.

This collection will be useful to researchers studying the history of Cleveland, Ohio, and the Baptist church and African American community there in the twentieth century. The collection includes material that documents the history of Antioch Baptist Church, Reverend McKinney's service as Grand Jury foreman, and politics in Cleveland. Those studying women's history in Cleveland will also find this collection useful.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

The researcher should also consult PG 54 Wade Hampton McKinney Family Photographs.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 3549 Reverend Wade H. and Mrs. Ruth B. McKinney Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gifts of Wade Hampton McKinney, III in 1971 and Mrs. Mary McKinney Miles in 1972.

Processing Information

Processed by Diane Keys in 1972.

Other Finding Aid

A partial list of the correspondents and a partial list of church organizations represented in this collection are available at the Reference Desk of the WRHS Research Library.

Detailed Description of The Collection