Lawrence L. Durgin

Lawrence Lazelle "Larry" Durgin (September 28, 1918 – August 11, 1981) was a Congregational minister and social activist, he was dedicated to racial equality.[1]

Lawrence Lazelle Durgin
Born(1918-09-28)September 28, 1918
Newark, New Jersey
Died(1981-08-11)August 11, 1981
Jackson, Mississippi
NationalityAmerican
Alma materDartmouth College
OccupationMinister
Spouse(s)Eunice King

Early life and education

He was born in Newark, New Jersey to Russell Luther Durgin and Delphine Lazelle. He was raised in Japan. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1940, and Oberlin School of Theology in 1944.[1] He received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Brown University in 1957.

Ministry

He was minister at First Congregational Church in Norwich, New York, Orient Congregational Church in Orient Point, New York, Central Congregational Church in Providence, Rhode Island, from 1952 to 1961, and at Broadway United Church of Christ in New York City from 1961 to 1980.[1][2]

He was instrumental in forming a relationship between historically black Tougaloo College in Mississippi and Brown University in his capacity as a minister at Central Church in Providence.[3] In 1980, he became vice president of development at Tougaloo College. After serving on the board of Tougaloo College, he became the Vice President for Development and Public Relations in 1980.

With his wife, he was involved in the founding of Habitat for Humanity. He was also involved in many inter-religious organizations, including the National Council of Churches. He served on the boards of the Andover Newton Theological School and the Northfield Mount Hermon School.

Personal life

Durgin married Eunice King (1918-2005) in 1941 and had two children. He died in Tougaloo, Mississippi in 1981.

References
  1. Waggoner, Walter. "REV. LAWRENCE L. DURGIN, 63, EX-BROADWAY CHURCH PASTOR". The New York Times.
  2. "Lawrence Lazelle Durgin, The Eighth Pastor, 1961-1980". Broadway United Church of Christ. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-19.
  3. "Tougaloo College". Encyclopedia Brunoniana.
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