From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Offutt, Garland Kimble, Sr.
(born: May 7, 1908 - died: June 26, 1976)Garland K. Offutt, Sr., was the first African American graduate at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. The first African American students attended separate lectures provided to them in empty faculty offices or by sitting outside the classroom door listening to the lectures. Offutt earned a Master of Theology degree in 1944 and a Doctor of Theology degree in 1948. The Garland Offutt Scholars Program is named in his honor, as is the Garland Offutt Award for Distinction in Church Leadership.
Many years before earning his degrees, Rev. Offutt, Sr. was pastor of Bracktown Baptist Church in Lexington, KY. His recognition services were held August 29, 1933, at the church. Rev. Offutt continued as pastor at Bracktown until September of 1939, when he was replaced by Rev. Percy Turner who had been the pastor at Cadentown Baptist Church in Lexington. Rev. Offutt had taken a pastorate at the First Baptist Church in Ashland, KY. Five years later and shortly after receiving his master of theology degree, Rev. Offutt, Sr. was named dean of the American Baptist Theological Seminary (now American Baptist College) in Nashville, TN, while also serving as the State Sunday School Director of the Kentucky State Baptist Congress.
In 1949, the year after receiving his doctor of theology, Dr. Rev. G. K. Offutt, Sr. was Teacher of Missions at Simmons College, and the acting pastor at West Chestnut Street Baptist Church, both in Louisville, KY. Rev. Offutt, Sr. would become pastor of the church and served for 26 years. During his tenure as pastor, Rev. Offutt, Sr. was also a civil rights activist. During the 1950s-1970s, the West Chestnut Street Baptist Church served as a training center for civil rights protests.
Dr. Rev. Garland K. Offutt, Sr. was born in Lexington, KY, the son of Rev. E. T. and Joanna Kimble Offutt. He was a brother to Joanna Kimble Offutt Childress. He died in 1976 in Louisville, KY, and is buried in Cove Haven Cemetery in Lexington, KY. Rev. Offutt, Sr. received his elementary and high school education in Lexington, KY; earned a bachelor of art at Kentucky State College (now Kentucky State University); bachelor of theology at Simmons College in Louisville; master and doctorate degrees at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and doctor of divinity at Simmons College.
Sources: see "The recognition services ..." in "Colored Notes." The Lexington Leader, 29 August, 1933, p.10; "Bracktown Baptist Church" in "Colored Notes." The Lexington Herald, 27 September 1939, p.14; "Negro Baptist meet planned." The Owensboro-Messenger, 22 October 1944, p.16; Communications Staff. "SBTS ahead of American culture in Civil Rights." The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary webpage. (online); see Garland Offutt Scholars Program, a Southern Baptist Theological Seminary webpage (online); Offutt, Garland. The Concept of the Kinsman in the Biblical Doctrine of Redemption (dissertation online). Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1948; "Fourth Street Baptist to have a workshop." The Owensboro-Messenger, 05 June 1949, p.27; "Sunday marks the climax ..." Morbley, Gertrude. "News, notes, and deaths." The Lexington Leader, 29 March 1968, p.21.
* This entry was suggested by Nieta Wigginton.