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Sterling Nelson Brown ( November 21, 1858- September 24, 1929) was a pastor, theology professor at Howard University School of Divinity, and father to poet, literary critic, and Howard University professor Sterling Allen Brown.

Early Life and Education

Brown was born to two enslaved parents on November 21, 1858 on a farm in Roane County, East Tennessee. He was born into slavery despite having parents of significant Caucasian ancestry, his father being seven-eighths caucasian and one-eighth black. Brown’s father was a “boss mechanic” nicknamed “Handy” for his dexterity; he was also an informal historian during his time on the plantation. Brown’s mother, Clansey, known affectionately as “Aunt Clara” was a pious woman and mother of thirteen children, only three of which survived.

Brown attended the only free school in his county, until he was forced to leave school at the age of thirteen to support the family. Brown worked as a molder until he began his studies at Fisk University in 1875. Brown learned of the university from Robert P. Neal, who was teaching in Brown’s community at the time. Brown only planned to attend Fisk for a few months but his tenure spanned ten years. Brown graduated from Fisk University in 1885, and the Oberlin Theological Seminary in 1888.

Teaching Career

Brown taught at the Howard University School of Divinity (which then went by the School of Religion), for over thirty years. In addition to teaching, Brown devoted much of his professional time to extending service in the field. Under Howard University President Jeremiah Eames Rankin, Brown held a series of gospel meetings that indoctrinated many students into the Christian life. Additionally, Brown’s appointment to Director of Extension Work and Correspondence Study, under Stephen M. Newman, divided his time between the classroom, aiding the south, and engaging the financial contribution of the philanthropists and humanitarians of the north.

Married Life and Family

Brown and his wife, Adelaide Allen Brown married in 1885. They had six children, 5 daughters and 1 son: Clara, Mary Edna, Elsie, Helen, Grace, and Sterling. His third daughter, Mary Edna Brown Coleman (Edna Brown Coleman), died in early adulthood due to childbirth complications. His youngest child, a son, was Sterling Allen Brown, poet, literary critic, and also professor at Howard University.

Ministry

Brown began pastoring at Mt. Zion Congregational Church in Ohio on June 1, 1885. The congregation began modestly, but flourished in the four years of Brown’s affiliation.

On April 1, 1889, Brown began pastoring at Plymouth Congregational Church in Washington, DC. He would remain there for eight years.

Brown’s final pastorate was Park Temple Church (later known as Lincoln Memorial Church) in Washington, D.C. from 1897 to 1913, resigning from this role to turn full-time to the Howard University School of Religion.

As a pastor, Brown believed in an open church, a dynamic where the church illustrates and encourages Christianity 7 days a week.

My Own Life Story, Hamilton Printing Company, 1924 (autobiography) /ref>