Interview with Jesse V. Bottoms, Sr., December 2, 1978

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

Segment Synopsis: Bottoms discusses the founding of Green Street Baptist Church and some of its notable ministers.

Keywords: Civil rights movement; Founders; Green St.; Green St. Baptist Church; Liberty St.; Louisville (Ky.); Reverend Gatty; Reverend George Wells; Reverend H. W. Jones; Reverend Stephen; Simmons University; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Teaching; University of Louisville; Versailles (Ky.)

Subjects: African American churches--Kentucky; African American clergy; African Americans--Education; Education, Higher--Kentucky; Louisville (Ky.)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Religious education--United States; Teaching

Partial Transcript: Did Whites give land or money to aid in the beginning of Green Street Church?

Segment Synopsis: Bottoms discusses the contributions Whites made to founding the church. He also describes the activities the church is involved in.

Keywords: Christianity; Church activities; Church members; Church membership; Contributions; Counseling; Donations; Educational committee; Faith; Finances; God; Loans; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Preaching; Relocation; Reverend Dr. H. W. Jones; Scholarship; Simmons University; Singing; Student aid; Sunday school; Walnut Street Baptist Church; Whites

Subjects: African American Christians; African American churches--Kentucky; African American clergy; African American college students; African Americans--Education; African Americans--Employment; African Americans--Religion

Partial Transcript: Has the focus of the church changed?

Segment Synopsis: Bottoms discusses the focus of church and how it has changed. He also describes the role of the minister, and the changes he has seen in ministry over the years.

Keywords: Banquets; Church membership; Church services; Counseling; Ethics; High criticism; Integrity; Low criticism; Ministers; Morality; Preaching; Sin; Social activities; Young people

Subjects: African American churches--Kentucky; African American clergy; African American leadership; African American preaching; Theology--Study and teaching

Partial Transcript: We're letting down on morals.

Segment Synopsis: Bottoms discusses the moral conditions of society. He also describes the church's involvement in the civil rights movement.

Keywords: Bible; Black churches; Civil rights movement; College; College students; Ethics; Gnosticism; God; Homosexuality; Integration; Liberalism; Marches; Morality; Political protest; Rationalism; White churches

Subjects: African Americans--Politics and government; African Americans--Religion; Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Baptists; Race relations--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Is the church still involved in educational and political concerns?

Segment Synopsis: Bottoms describes the strengths and weaknesses of the Black church.

Keywords: Black church; Black community; Church members; Cooperation; Ministerial Coalition; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Participation; Politics; Potential; Race relations; Voting

Subjects: African American clergy; African Americans--Religion; African Americans--Social conditions; Race relations--Kentucky