Nichols, Paul
(born: 1939 - died: 1990)Paul Nichols was born in Bowling Green, KY, the son of Mary E. Hurd Nichols and George Nichols, Sr. He was a graduate of Virginia Union University, Presbyterian School of Christian Education [now Union Presbyterian Seminary], and American University.
From 1976-1984, Nichols was dean of the School of Theology at Virginia Union. He was vice president of the National Ministers Council/American Baptist for three years and in 1989 was named to the executive director of the Board of National Ministries for the American Baptist Churches USA, making him the highest ranking African American of the 1.6 million-member organization.
Nichols was also pastor of the Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, where he was well respected in the community. Noted among his many achievements was the renaming of the Shockoe Bridge in Richmond for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For more see T. Muller, "Hundreds here celebrate the life of beloved pastor," Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/02/1990, Area/State section, p. 2; "Paul Nichols, 50, dies, was Baptist executive," New York Times, 5/30/1990, p. B20; and Who's Who Among African Americans, 1977-1995.
