Hawes, Hampton B., Sr., 1888-1976

Rev. Hampton B. Hawes, Sr.
In 1912, Rev. Hampton B. Hawes, a graduate of Fisk University and Lincoln University Theological Seminary, was installed as pastor following Rev. Holman's retirement.[12][13][14] Two years later, he married Gertrude Holman, one of Rev. Holman's daughters and church pianoist.[15] In 1937, Rev. Hawes was elected Moderator of the Los Angeles Presbytery at a meeting with 325 ministers and lay delegates.[16]

The late 1930s and early 1940s saw congregational growth. Rev. Hawes supported the building of a recreational center for community young people.[17] On his 26th anniversary of service, the Westminster Sunday School classes, led by superintendents La Vonzell Gates and Neile Adams, celebrated Rev. Hawes.[17] In 1941, the church had 19 Bible school classrooms and two Sunday services.[18] The Westminster Presbyterian Choir had 40-members. Mabel Hawes, another daughter of Rev. Hawes, was organist. Cyrus Keller was the choir director.[19] In 1944, Rev. Hawes was unanimously elected Moderator of the California Synod of the Presbyterian Church (USA).[20]

Westminster organized a Boy Scout Troop in 1947.[21] In 1957, Golden State Mutual Insurance provided free tickets to Westminster's Scout Troop 205 to attend the annual high school football Shrine Hi Classic at the Los Angeles Coliseum.[22]

In 1948, the Los Angeles Times reported that Westminster Presbyterian Church paid $125,000 for the property being vacated by St. Paul's Presbyterian Church located at 2230 West Jefferson Boulevard.[23] St. Paul's congregation was merging with Baldwin Hills Community Presbyterian Church and moving to the facility on La Brea Ave. and Coliseum Street. The newspaper noted there were 800 active Westminster Presbyterian Church members.[23] On Sunday, June 19, 1949, the Westminster caravan traveled from its 35th and Denker location to its new home at 3rd and Jefferson. The first service was held Sunday evening.[24]

One of the defining community projects of Rev. Hawes tenure, following a visit to Seoul with Dr. Henry A. McPherson,[25] was his campaign to procure homes for homeless and unwanted Korean war orphans of "Negro" paternity.[13] The California Eagle reported in 1956 that more than thirty families had "made applications for adoption proceedings."[26] By 1958, more than fifty families had been recommended for the adoption program, which was directed by Henry Holt.[27]

In 1958, Rev. Hawes celebrated forty-five years of service to Westminster Presbyterian Church. The congregation gifted him a 1958 Ford Mercury automobile. Mrs. Sarah A. McPherson, one of the original members of Westminster, gave the car keys to Rev. and Mrs. Hawes.[28][27] At his retirement service, Rev. Hawes had been instrumental in placing 70 Korean orphans for adoption, including 40 within Westminster Presbyterian Church families. The Los Angeles Sentinel photographed Rev. Hawes with a dozen adoptees attending the retirement service.[28] Church membership had increased to 1,500 upon his retirement.[27]

... The first structure for Westminster Presbyterian Church was erected on land purchased in 1906, at West 35th Place and Denker Avenue, Los Angeles, California. In 1908 the church extended its first call to The Reverend Robert W. Holman to pastor this new congregation. Reverend Holman served tirelessly and the congregation
grew in spirit and numbers. After five years Reverend Holman retired from service at Westminster. The Reverend Hampton B. Hawes, a graduate of Lincoln University Theological Seminary, and subsequently the former pastor’s son-in-law, accepted the congregation’s invitation to pastor Westminster. The leadership of this deeply spiritual young minister added immeasurably to the congregation. Westminster became not only the first “Black” church west of the Mississippi River, but the largest with approximately 1500+ active members.
During his forty-five year ministry Reverend Hawes shepherded the church through momentous events in the United States and the world as well as in his life. The church persevered through numerous national events, a devastating depression, the New Deal, two World Wars, and the Korean War. Bearing those conditions would have diminished the enthusiasm and quenched the spiritual fire of a less dedicated group of Christian believers. The hand of God held Westminster. Holy Spirit motivated Reverend Hawes to encourage members to add “Mixed Korean” orphans to their families. Westminster developed an attitude of inclusion and evangelism. The church grew spiritually and numerically under the Reverend Dr. Hampton B. Hawes’ continued leadership.

In the late thirties and through the forties, “The Westside” began to experience ethnic changes in residential areas. Populations shifted causing “Negro” occupancy west of Western Avenue to become less exclusive to monoculture congregations that worshipped in the Crenshaw district and surrounding areas. That being the case, a special representative committee, under the direction of the Session, negotiated for our present church location. With the reluctant cooperation from the Los Angeles Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., the acquisition of the present location, 2230 West Jefferson Boulevard, became a reality in 1948. The addition of children orphaned by the Korean War together with the purchase of this new home site for the congregation became the two most notable achievements under the leadership of Reverend. Dr. Hawes. Reverend Hawes retired in 1958....

Detail Source
Name: Hampton Bonnett Hawes
Race: African (Black)
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: 1 Aug 1888
Birth Place: Georgia
Residence Date: 1917-1918
Street Address: 3532 Denker Ave
Residence Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
Draft Board: 08
Physical Build: Stout
Height: Tall
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Dark Brown

Name: Hampton Hawes
[Hampton Hames]
Age: 12
Birth Date: Aug 1887
Birthplace: Georgia, USA
Home in 1900: Macon, Bibb, Georgia
Ward of City: 3 (Part of)
Street: Spring Street
House Number: 5
Sheet Number: 22
Number of Dwelling in Order of Visitation: 404
Family Number: 503
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Georgia, USA
Mother's Name: Joanna Hawes
Mother's Birthplace: Georgia, USA
Occupation: At School
Attended School: 8
Can Read: Yes
Can Write: Yes
Can Speak English: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members Age Relationship
Joanna Hawes
45 Head
Obie Hawes
23 Son
Roland Hawes
21 Son
Mabel Hawes
17 Daughter
Eliza Hawes
14 Daughter
Hampton Hawes 12 Son
Lizzie Hawes
11 Daughter
Early Hawes
7 Son

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Name: Hampton Bonnett Hawes
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 1 Aug 1888
Residence Place: Los Angeles, California, USA
Military Draft Date: 1942
Next of Kin: Charles C. Brantley

Early life
Hampton Hawes was born on November 13, 1928, in Los Angeles, California.[3] His father, Hampton Hawes, Sr., was minister of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles.[1] His mother, the former Gertrude Holman, was Westminster's church pianist.[1] Hawes' first experience with the piano was as a toddler sitting on his mother's lap while she practiced. He was reportedly able to pick out fairly complex tunes by the age of three.

Name: Hampton B Hawes
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 1 Aug 1888
Birth Place: Georgia
Death Date: 25 Dec 1976
Death Place: Los Angeles