Interview with H.D. Cockerham, November 30, 1978

Partial Transcript: --Professor at the University of Kentucky, on his oral history project, The Black Church in Kentucky.

Segment Synopsis: Cockerham discusses his personal background. He also describes the founding of the Zion Baptist Church and some of the notable ministers that served before him.

Keywords: Andrew Jackson; Anthony Barnett; B. W. Wells; Benjamin Smith; Charles Ward; Chicago (Ill.); Chicago Baptist Institute; Debt; Dr. John Priest Green; Edward Bowman; Finances; Financial aid; Founders; J. S. Woods; Jerry Briers; Jerry Troutman; John Burnes; John Radford; John Willis; Joseph Nyland; Land ownership; Louisville (Ky.); McCool (Miss.); Ministry; Mortgage; Nathaniel Caldwell; Old York St. Baptist Church; Religious worship; Remodeling; Reverend Dr. John Lansing Burrows; Reverend A. D. Williams; Reverend Dr. D. E. King; Reverend Isaiah Wright; Reverend William Craighead; Roosevelt University; Sandy Wells; Thomas L. Barrett; Thomas P. Hill; Thomas Troutman; University of Illinois; White Southern Baptist Convention; Whites; Zion Baptist Church

Subjects: African American Christians; African American churches--Kentucky; African American clergy; African Americans--Education; African Americans--Politics and government; Education, higher--United States; Religious education--United States

Partial Transcript: We have a Willing Workers Club in this church, headed by Ms. Jewel [McDate].

Segment Synopsis: Cockerham discusses some of the activities the church is involved in.

Keywords: Bills; Charity; Civil rights movement; Clothing; Coal; Community; Donations; Financial support; Food; Goals; Martin Luther King Free Food Store; Medical care; Mission; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Simmons University; Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Support; Urban League; Willing Workers Club; Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA); Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA)

Subjects: African American churches--Kentucky; African American clergy; African American leadership; African Americans--Economic conditions; African Americans--Religion; Louisville (Ky.)--Buildings, structures, etc.

Partial Transcript: Is the Black minister still the leader in the Black community?

Segment Synopsis: Cockerham describes the role of the minister within the Black church.

Keywords: Authority; Black community; Black ministers; Church members; Debt; Evangelism; Leadership; Ministry; Organizational structure; Tithes and offerings

Subjects: African American churches--Kentucky; African American clergy; African American leadership; African Americans--Religion

Partial Transcript: Was Zion Church actively involved in the civil rights movement of the sixties?

Segment Synopsis: Cockerham discusses the church's involvement in the civil rights movement.

Keywords: Calvary Baptist Church; Civil rights movement; Corinthian Baptist Church; Fifth Street Baptist Church; Human Rights Commission; Joshua Tabernacle Baptist Church; Kentucky Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Marches; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Plymouth Congregational Church; Political organizing; Politics; Protests; Rallies; Reverend Garland Offutt; Reverend Hollace Bell; Reverend Leo Lesser; Reverend Robinson; Social Action Committee; West Chestnut Street Baptist Church

Subjects: African American Christians; African American clergy; African American leadership; African American preaching; African Americans--Politics and government

Partial Transcript: Were there any White churches that were supportive?

Segment Synopsis: Cockerham discusses the relationship between Black and White churches in Louisville, Kentucky. He also describes what he believes are the strengths and weaknesses of the Black church.

Keywords: A. J. Elmore; Black churches; Civic engagement; Committees; Cooperation; Ministerial Alliance; Money; Politicians; Politics; Progressive; Southern Baptist Convention; Sponsorship; Voting; White churches

Subjects: African American clergy; African Americans--Politics and government; African Americans--Religion; Busing for school integration; Race relations--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What accomplishments has Zion Baptist Church had over the years?

Segment Synopsis: Cockerham describes the accomplishments that Zion Baptist Church has had over the years.

Keywords: Christianity; Church membership; Community work; Educational programs; Handicapped children; Insurance; Reading programs; Restoration; Reverend Craighead

Subjects: African American Christians; Community work; Handicapped children--Education; Louisville (Ky.)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Reading and comprehension--Study and teaching