Interview with Ira V. Birdwhistell, January 12, 1979

Partial Transcript: My name is Edward Owens. I'm working for Doctors George Wright and Benjamin Baker on their oral history project, The Black Church in Kentucky.

Segment Synopsis: Birdwhistell discusses his personal background, and how the First Baptist Church was founded in Drakesboro.

Keywords: Black Diamond Coal Company; Coal miners; Coal mining; First Baptist Church; Fred Jones; Georgetown College; James T. Pierce; Lawrenceburg (Ky.); Southern Baptist Seminary

Subjects: African American coal miners; African American neighborhoods; African Americans--Economic conditions; African Americans--Education; Coal--Kentucky; Education, Higher--Kentucky; Greensburg (Ky.)--Buildings, structures, etc.

Partial Transcript: What kind of a relationship has existed between Black and White churches over the years in Drakesboro?

Segment Synopsis: Birdwhistell discusses the relationship his church has had with White churches. He also goes on to describe the life and importance of Henry Adams.

Keywords: Baptist; Black churches; Henry Adams; Methodist; Ministers; Preaching; Race relations; Religious denominations; Segregation; White churches

Subjects: African American churches--Kentucky; African American clergy; African Americans--Religion; African Americans--Social conditions; Race relations--Kentucky; Segregation--Religious aspects

Partial Transcript: What can you tell me about a man named Henry Adams?

Segment Synopsis: Birdwhistell talks about Henry Adams who led his congregation to separate from the White-led First Baptist Church to form First African Baptist Church.

[Birdwhistell reads from a book on Henry Adams during part of this segment.]

Keywords: Baptism; Black churches; Church members; Congregation; First Baptist Church; Henry Adams; Pastors; Preachers; Representation; White churches

Subjects: African American churches--Kentucky; African American clergy; African American leadership; African Americans--Religion; African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Social conditions; African Americans--Social conditions.; Race relations--Kentucky; Segregation--Religious aspects

Partial Transcript: And then I've got some information here on Simmons University, just a little bit.

Segment Synopsis: Birdwhistell discusses how Simmons University was founded.

Keywords: Black Baptists; Education; Simmons University; William T. Simmons

Subjects: African Americans--Education; Religious education--United States

Partial Transcript: It's evident that Reverend Adams was a leader of his people. Is the Black minister still a leader in the Black community?

Segment Synopsis: Birdwhistell discusses the role of the Black minister in the community. He also speaks on the possibility of unity between Black and White churches.

Keywords: Black churches; Black community; Black youth; Congregation; Dan Washington; Unity

Subjects: African American clergy; African American leadership; African American neighborhoods; African American young adults; African Americans--Religion; African Americans--Social conditions; Interracial friendship

Partial Transcript: What caused Blacks to come out of the mines?

Segment Synopsis: Birdwhistell discusses race relations in Drakesboro.

Keywords: African American neighborhoods; Black churches; Black community; Coal miners; Coal mines; Drakesburg (Ky.); Employment; White churches; Work; Young people

Subjects: African American leadership; African American youth; African Americans--Economic conditions; Race relations--Kentucky