Religious Leader. In 1920, he along with Matthew W. Clair, became the first African American bishops of the Methodist Episcopal (later United Methodist) Church. One of his greatest achievements was the establishment of Gulfside Assembly, a Methodist retreat located in Waveland, Mississippi. At the time of its founding in 1923, Gulfside was the only place along the entire Gulf of Mexico that provided accommodations of any kind to African Americans. In the late 1930's, Bishop Jones was active in the unification movement which attempted to integrate the black and white members within the Church. Unfortunately, due in large part to opposition from congregations in the South, the Methodists would not formally integrate until the 1960's.
Religious Leader. In 1920, he along with Matthew W. Clair, became the first African American bishops of the Methodist Episcopal (later United Methodist) Church. One of his greatest achievements was the establishment of Gulfside Assembly, a Methodist retreat located in Waveland, Mississippi. At the time of its founding in 1923, Gulfside was the only place along the entire Gulf of Mexico that provided accommodations of any kind to African Americans. In the late 1930's, Bishop Jones was active in the unification movement which attempted to integrate the black and white members within the Church. Unfortunately, due in large part to opposition from congregations in the South, the Methodists would not formally integrate until the 1960's.
Bio by: R Wheaton
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