I. Dequincey Newman (courtesy of USC)
Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- The home of the late Rev. I. DeQuincey Newman, a well-known African-American clergyman and civil rights leader is getting a new addition: A Historical Marker.
The marker unveiling will take place at the one-time home Newman on Saturday, June 30 at 2 p.m., at 2210 Chappelle Street in Columbia.
Family members of the distinguished Columbia clergyman and activist will be on-site at the unveiling.
Members of both I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist Church and Francis Burns United Methodist Church (two churches Newman founded) raised the funds needed to install the Historic Marker.
A conversation about the late Reverend's life will follow the unveiling event, at 2:30 p.m. at I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist, 7801Wilson Boulevard. The public is invited.
Some highlights of Newman's career:
• Founder of two churches in Columbia in the 1930s: Francis Burns United Methodist Church and Middleton-Rosemont United Methodist Church
• Founder and Director of the Society for Preservation of Black History, Art and Folklore
• Newman helped to organize the Orangeburg branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1943
• Participated in founding the Progressive Democratic Party in the 1940s and was a delegate to several national Democratic conventions
• Played a major role in bringing an end to segregated congregations in the 1970s
• Served as assistant to the commissioner of the state Department of Social Services and a board member of the Department of Health and Environmental Control
• October 25, 1983, Newman became the first African American since 1887 to serve in the SC state Senate when he was elected to the state legislature from Richland, Chester and Fairfield Counties
• Former Chair of the Governor's Council on Rural Development
• Member of the Rules, Agricultural, Corrections, and Fish, Game and Forestry Committees.