Episcopal Press and News

Baptism of Black Youth in North Carolina Stirs Controversy on Racism

Episcopal News Service. April 24, 1992 [92098]

Six weeks after he baptized a black teenager at the all-white St. Stephen's Episcopal Church last January, the Rev. James Horton was removed from his position as rector, stirring a major controversy and charges of racism.

In explaining their 10-2 vote, members of the vestry said that tensions had been brewing between Horton and the parish for some time and denied that the baptism had anything to do with the ouster. Others were concerned with possible links between the baptism and the ouster.

North Carolina Bishop Robert Estill met with Horton and the vestry and told his clergy on a retreat that he was convinced that the baptism was not the primary reason for Horton's dismissal. According to the bishop, the vestry cited "leadership and personal conflict" as grounds for the dismissal. Estill said in a local press interview that he urged Horton to resign "because we agreed it had gone beyond the point of conciliation."

Horton said that he was aware of differences with some members of the congregation but added that he "had no inkling there was serious controversy brewing until after the baptism."

A group of 20 black Episcopalians visited the parish on March 15 to express their concern and discuss the issue of racism with members of the congregation. Led by the Rev. Arthur Calloway, rector of St. Ambrose in Raleigh, the frank 45-minute dialogue in the parish hall produced a proposal for an exchange between the two parishes. Vestry members of St. Stephen's assured their visitors, many of them vestry members at St. Ambrose, that blacks are welcome at their parish and that they still regarded the black teenager as a member.