Church Leadership, Participation and Activism: Mr. James Mathews
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Description
Mr. James Mathews (age 59; born 1941 in Portland Maine; married with five children; lived in Maine all his life – lived in South Portland for over 26 years)
Interviewer: "The third topic is activism and leadership. What community or religious groups have you participated in during your life so far?"
Mr. James Mathews: “Well, I was a boy scout and I strongly liked their stand. I belong to the Green Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; I'm a trustee, choir member, and so on up there. I’m a life member of the NAACP. I was president of the local branch from 1973 to 1976. And. those are basically my activities. I have not been involved with the NAACP as much as I probably would have liked, lately, you know. I support the events that they have and so on.” What roles did you play in these groups? “In the church at the Green Memorial AME Zion Church I'm a trustee board member, I'm president of the lay council, I used to be an usher. I'm in the men's choir and the mass choir. Basically just do anything I can to help our church. As far as the NAACP is concerned like I already stated, I've been a member for thirty-some years probably and I have been the president from 1973 to 1976. No, I beg your pardon. That was 1971 to 1976. Correction, correction. Five years.”
You can find the complete recording and transcript by visiting this page.
Publication Date
3-31-2001
Keywords
African American, Oral History, Maine, Church, Faith, Family
Recommended Citation
Elgersman Lee, Maureen, "Church Leadership, Participation and Activism: Mr. James Mathews" (2001). We Exist Series 3: Audio Recordings. 4.
https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/we-exist-exhibit3-audio/4
