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Roy Davis: Difference between revisions
→Roy Davis' Pentecostal Baptist Church
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Roy Davis wrote "'''''I am the minister who received Brother Branham into the first Pentecostal assembly he ever frequented. I baptized him, and was his pastor for some two years.'''''" Roy Davis was | Roy Davis wrote "'''''I am the minister who received Brother Branham into the first Pentecostal assembly he ever frequented. I baptized him, and was his pastor for some two years.'''''" Roy Davis was a convicted criminal and a leader in the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), a far-right white supremacist organization. | ||
<youtube>http://youtu.be/4qI8l0jTeeY</youtube> | <youtube>http://youtu.be/4qI8l0jTeeY</youtube> | ||
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Davis appointed associates to serve as leaders in the churches while he was away. In the Jeffersonville First Pentecostal Baptist Church, Hope Brumback was made worship leader, and William Branham and George De'Ark were made ministering elders. He appointed his brothers Dan and W.J. as leaders of other groups.<ref>Sunday Service in Local Churches, Jeffersonville Evening News, February 4, 1933</ref><ref>First Pentecostal Baptist, Jeffersonville Evening News, February 18, 1933</ref> | Davis appointed associates to serve as leaders in the churches while he was away. In the Jeffersonville First Pentecostal Baptist Church, Hope Brumback was made worship leader, and William Branham and George De'Ark were made ministering elders. He appointed his brothers Dan and W.J. as leaders of other groups.<ref>Sunday Service in Local Churches, Jeffersonville Evening News, February 4, 1933</ref><ref>First Pentecostal Baptist, Jeffersonville Evening News, February 18, 1933</ref> | ||
William Branham joined Davis's church in 1929 where he was baptized and ordained by Davis as a minister and began to serve as an elder the same year. | William Branham joined Davis's church in 1929 where he was baptized and ordained by Davis as a minister and began to serve as an elder the same year.<ref>Weaver, p.26, 33</ref> In his sermons, Branham indicated that Christian Identity Theology was being taught by elders in Roy Davis's church: | ||
:''The first time I ever met anyone in my life, after I had been converted…I was…met Brother George DeArk and them down there. And I was walked, and the Lord led me to a little place. And they was discussing where the colored man came from. And they were trying to say that the colored man…That Cain married an animal like an ape, and through there come forth the colored race. Now, that’s wrong! Absolutely, that’s wrong! And don’t never stand for that. Cause there was no colored or white, or any other different, it’s just one race of people unto the flood. Then after the flood and the tower of Babel, when they began to scatter out, that’s when they taken their colors and so forth. They’re all come from the same tree. That’s exactly right. Adam and Eve was the father and mother, earthly, of every living creature of human beings that’s ever been on the earth. That’s right.:''<ref>William Branham, 7-1006 - Questions And Answers On Hebrews #3 - October 6, 1957</ref> | :''The first time I ever met anyone in my life, after I had been converted…I was…met Brother George DeArk and them down there. And I was walked, and the Lord led me to a little place. And they was discussing where the colored man came from. And they were trying to say that the colored man…That Cain married an animal like an ape, and through there come forth the colored race. Now, that’s wrong! Absolutely, that’s wrong! And don’t never stand for that. Cause there was no colored or white, or any other different, it’s just one race of people unto the flood. Then after the flood and the tower of Babel, when they began to scatter out, that’s when they taken their colors and so forth. They’re all come from the same tree. That’s exactly right. Adam and Eve was the father and mother, earthly, of every living creature of human beings that’s ever been on the earth. That’s right.:''<ref>William Branham, 7-1006 - Questions And Answers On Hebrews #3 - October 6, 1957</ref> | ||
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:''I remember when Brother Roy Davis, down there, and his church burnt down. That bunch of people was just like scattered sheep without a shepherd, had no place to go. And Mr. Hibstenberg was Chief of Police then, and he called me down there. He said to me, “We're here to help you.” Said, “I'm Catholic, myself, but,” said, “them people,” said, “they don't probably have the clothes.” It was during the time of the depression. Said, “They go to other churches and they feel out of place, and they're good people. I know many of them.” He said, “Billy, if you want to start a church,” he said, “I want you to know that we're behind you in anything we can do to help you.” And I thanked him for it. We had a tag day. First, we prayed and asked the Lord. And people come to me and wanted to build a church, so could have a place to go. And we decided [on] this place.''<ref>William Branham, Taking Sides With Jesus - June 1, 1962</ref> | :''I remember when Brother Roy Davis, down there, and his church burnt down. That bunch of people was just like scattered sheep without a shepherd, had no place to go. And Mr. Hibstenberg was Chief of Police then, and he called me down there. He said to me, “We're here to help you.” Said, “I'm Catholic, myself, but,” said, “them people,” said, “they don't probably have the clothes.” It was during the time of the depression. Said, “They go to other churches and they feel out of place, and they're good people. I know many of them.” He said, “Billy, if you want to start a church,” he said, “I want you to know that we're behind you in anything we can do to help you.” And I thanked him for it. We had a tag day. First, we prayed and asked the Lord. And people come to me and wanted to build a church, so could have a place to go. And we decided [on] this place.''<ref>William Branham, Taking Sides With Jesus - June 1, 1962</ref> | ||
Davis was proud of Branham and referred to Branham as Saint Timothy to his Saint Paul.<ref name = "voh"/> Branham similarly spoke highly of Davis who would later participate in some Branham Campaign meetings.<ref>William Branham, April 7, 1957, Then Came Jesus</ref> Branham and Davis maintained a lifelong relationship, and Branham continued to support Davis after he became national leader of the KKK.<ref name = pwh/> | |||
== | ==Roy Davis' Pentecostal Baptist Church== | ||
William Branham stated that, prior to ministering on his own, he was the assistant pastor at the Missionary Baptist Church in Jeffersonville, Indiana and that he served under the direction of Dr. Roy E. Davis, the pastor, who also ordained him. But this is not true as the actual name of the Davis' church was the "First Pentecostal Baptist Church." | |||
It appears that sometime in 1933 or 1934, the First Pentecostal Baptist Church burned down. At around the same time, Roy Davis was extradited from Indiana to Arkansas to stand trial for grand theft.<ref>https://issuu.com/charismata/docs/apostolic_faith_and_pentecostal_tim_f1466ac0c35c77 (retrieved December 30, 2023)</ref> | |||
This also puts into serious question William Branham's assertion that he left his position as assistant pastor and started holding meetings on his own in 1933, because of a disagreement with Roy Davis over the ordination of women. | |||
According to Douglas Weaver in his book, ''The Healer-Prophet'', '''Roy E. Davis''' was the pastor of the '''First Baptist Pentecostal Church''' in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Roy Davis' church was '''not''' a Missionary Baptist Church as indicated by William Branham but was a "''Holy Ghost church where they worship God in Spirit and not in fleshly denominations''" (See ''Jeffersonville Evening News'', 10 June 1933, 4:7). | According to Douglas Weaver in his book, ''The Healer-Prophet'', '''Roy E. Davis''' was the pastor of the '''First Baptist Pentecostal Church''' in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Roy Davis' church was '''not''' a Missionary Baptist Church as indicated by William Branham but was a "''Holy Ghost church where they worship God in Spirit and not in fleshly denominations''" (See ''Jeffersonville Evening News'', 10 June 1933, 4:7). | ||
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:::::R. E. Davis, Sr. | :::::R. E. Davis, Sr. | ||
==Imperial Wizard== | |||
Following the destruction of his church building in Jeffersonville, Davis began to refocus his efforts elsewhere. He transferred the national headquarters of the Pentecostal Baptist Church of God to Memphis, Tennessee later in 1934.<ref name = "mms">{{cite news|url=https://william-branham.org/site/resource?key=71fac3c0-72fe-4a73-ac2e-0314c0f12630&parent=roy_e._davis|title=May Move Church Seat|publisher=The Commercial Appeal|date=May 15, 1934|page=2}}</ref> He continued to successfully plant churches and conduct KKK recruitment. In 1936 Davis held meetings nationally, with publicized revivals in New Mexico and Florida.<ref>{{cite news|title=Church Notice|publisher=Clovis News Journal|date=December 5, 1936}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| publisher=The Pampa Daily News|title=Local News|date=December 31, 1936}}</ref> In 1937 Davis held publicized revival meetings in New York City, while he continued to spend much time at his church in Kingsport, Texas.<ref>{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=Church Revival In Bossier City Will Last Through Week|date=April 23, 1937}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Religious Observation Week Observed|publisher=Kingsport Times|date=October 2, 1938}}</ref> | |||
[[File:Upshaw.jpg|thumb|Congressman [[Congressman Upshaw]]]] | |||
Davis continued to be involved in criminal activities throughout the 1930s and 1940s. He was connected to a scheme in 1938 soliciting money for a fake charity in Indiana and Kentucky in which his brother Dan Davis and four women from his church were arrested in Newport, Kentucky.<ref>{{cite news|title=Minister Arrested|date=October 11, 1938|publisher=The Cincinnati Enquirer}}</ref> In 1939 law enforcement from Arkansas attempted to extradite Davis related to charges of theft of an automobile and a murder in Arkansas. Davis was already out on bond due to charges in Indiana at the time. Davis was located by law enforcement in Kentucky who extradited him to Arkansas. Davis plead with Kentucky authorities claiming he would be lynched by enemies if he was extradited. In Arkansas Davis spent some time in prison.<ref>{{cite news|title=Extradition|publisher=The Cincinnati Enquirer|date=January 14, 1939}}</ref> | |||
After leaving prison in November 1942, Davis and fellow KKK member, former [[Congressman Upshaw]], began working together in California.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=The San Bernardino County Sun|date=February 20, 1944|title=Orphanage Benefactor Questioned}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Orphange School At Upload Slated To Open Sept. 15|publisher=The San Bernardino County Sub|date=August 8, 1943}}</ref> They set up an organization to collect money to open an orphanage. Davis was accused to stealing money from the charity in 1944 when they failed to use the collections for their stated purpose. He was arrested on three charges of grand theft, petty theft, illegal possession of firearms, and impersonating an FBI agent.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=The San Bernardino County|title=Accused Pastor Demands Writ|date=April 27, 1944}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Minister Charged|publisher=Nevada State Journal|date=March 15, 1944}}</ref> The charges were dropped after Davis had his associates returned funds to several donors.<ref>{{cite news|title=Two Counts Are Dropped After Court Hearing|date=May 6, 1944|publisher=The San Bernardino County}}</ref> Escaping charges yet again, Davis returned to holding revival meetings and KKK recruiting. | |||
By 1950, Davis was part of the executive committee of Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce in Texas. Davis also remained active as a revivalist during the 1950s. He was working with multiple churches to hold revivals, including the Pentecostal Assemblies of God. Davis reported that he had a large tent he traveled with to preach from. The William Branham Campaign team published an article publicizing Davis and his revivals in ''Voice of Healing'' in October 1950.<ref name = "voh">{{cite book|title=Wm Branham's First Pastor|date=October 1950|publisher=Voice Of Healing|page=14}}</ref> Davis was also present and participated in Branham Campaign events during the 1950s and was publicly endorsed by Branham. Davis continued to visit Branham campaign meetings, and be endorsed by Branham multiple times through the early 1960s.<ref>William Branham, April 7, 1957, Then Came Jesus</ref> | |||
Davis became president of the Oak Cliff White Citizens Council in Dallas Texas during the 1950s which he used as a platform to oppose racial integration.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro, Con Put Before Board Meetings|date=June 26, 1958|publisher=Dallas Morning News}}</ref> In 1958, Davis was known by law authorities to be Imperial Wizard of the Knights of the Flaming Sword in Texas, a position he had been holding for some time. Internal friction in the Klan led to issues between Davis and others KKK organizations.<ref name = "kkkmvs"/> According to police investigation, during 1958 Davis had angered other klan members "over handling of Klan funds."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=123128|title=Record Number 124-90123-10054" JFX Assassination|publisher=Mary Ferrell Foundation|date=March 5, 1962|author=FBI}}</ref> Opponents burned a cross in Davis's yard prompting Davis to call the police. During questioning by police, Davis said he had been a KKK member for 45 years. He told the authorities that he was second in command of the national KKK organization at the time.<ref name = "kkkmvs">{{cite news|title=KKK's Membership Very Small In Texas| publisher=Dallas Morning News| date=February 11, 1961|page=5}}</ref> | |||
Later in 1958 Davis was offered formal leadership of the Texas branch of the KKK headed by Imperial Wizard Eldon Edwards, which Davis accepted becoming KKK Grand Dragon of Texas. As official leader in Texas, Davis continued to champion efforts to halt integration of schools and support continued racial segregation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Minister May Take Over Klan|publisher=Corsicana Daily|date=March 28, 1958}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Retired Preacher Claims Bid To Top Dallas Klan Post|publisher=Corsicana Daily|date=March 28, 1958}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pro, Con Put Before Board Meet|publisher=Dallas Morning News|date=June 26, 1958}}</ref> Davis was successful in rallying support to halt integration of the Dallas schools that year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dallas Schools Will Remain Segregated|publisher=Dallas Morning News|date=June 26, 1958}}</ref> | |||
By 1959 Davis had been elected leader of the national KKK organization and was reporting himself as National Imperial Wizard of the Original Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and conducting rallies in multiple states. He conducted a public KKK recruitment campaign in Arkansas during May.<ref name = "kkkmvs"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Klan Groups Are Banished, Leader Says|publisher=Arkansas Gazette|date=May 29, 1959}}</ref> Later that year Davis attended another large rally in Florida where he removed his mask and identified himself again national leader of the KKK.<ref>{{cite news|title=Klansmen Call For Members To Fight Right Issue With Ballots|publisher=The Cincinnati Enquirer|date=August 24, 1959}}</ref> Davis was involved in organizing a national KKK convention in Jacksonville, Florida in 1960.<ref>{{cite news|title=Klan Pledges Ballot Fight|publisher=The Odessa American|date=August 24, 1959}}</ref> Davis continued to be involved in fraud cases and was named in a case involving a fraudulent check in July 1960.<ref>{{cite news|title=Odessan Jailed In Check Case|publisher=The Odessa American|date=July 7, 1960}}</ref> Davis endorsed Richard Nixon for President of the United States]] in the election of 1960.<ref>{{cite news|title=Letters From Readers|publisher=Dallas Morning News|date=October 10, 1960}}</ref> | |||
In 1961, Davis continued holding KKK rallies. The KKK adopted the motto "Yesterday, Today and Forever" in KKK promotional material.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ku Klux Klan Stickers Put On Windows|publisher=The Times of Shreveport|date=January 20, 1961}}</ref> Pictures of Davis in the local newspaper showed him demonstrating a Klan salute in full KKK costume. He reported 1000 new members as a result of his campaign in Louisiana.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ku Klux Klan Active In Shreveport|publisher=The Times of Shreveport|date=February 10, 1961}}</ref> A cross was burnt in the front yard of Congressman Overton Brooks during a Davis led KKK rally in Shreveport, Louisiana in February 1961.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cross Burning|publisher=The Times of Shreveport|date=February 9, 1961}}</ref> Davis was questioned by authorities and denied being involved in the cross burning. Shreveport Mayor Clyde Fant declared that local authorities would not tolerate KKK activity and called Davis "unamerican" for intimidating a Congressman.<ref>{{cite news|title=Won't Tolerate KKK Mayor Fant Declares|publisher=The Times of Shreveport|date=February 10, 1961}}</ref> Federal authorities launched an investigation following the cross burning.<ref>{{cite news|title=US Attorney Studies Cross Burning Here|publisher=The Times of Shreveport|date=February 11, 1961}}</ref> Davis was arrested, fingerprinted, and warned by authorities that he was not welcome in Louisiana. Davis claimed that he revoked the charter of the KKK unit in Shreveport for conducting the cross burning without his permission.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dallas Resident Questioned Over KKK Activities|date=April 7, 1961|publisher=Dallas Morning News}}</ref> Video footage of Davis was recorded leading anti-communist protests at the [[Burl Ives]] concert on December 30, 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwk8GaAv7gk|publisher=youtube|author=Southern Methodist University|date=December 30, 1961|title=Burl Ives And Protestors At The Dallas Theater Center}}</ref> | |||
Davis continued to be deeply involved in KKK activities following his runs-ins with police, and came under deep scrutiny again following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas in November 1963. Davis had been living in Dallas for several years and was running his faction of the KKK from there. Davis was named in an investigation by the United States Secret Service as being suspected of authoring a pamphlet entitled ''J.F.K Wanted For Treason'' shortly before the assassination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/609411|title=File Number Co-2-34030: Assassination of President Kennedy|date=December 6, 1963|publisher=United States National Archives}}</ref> | |||
Davis continued to travel and preach as an evangelist and conduct KKK recruitment in the later years of his life. He died in Dallas on August 12, 1966, aged 76. | |||
=Quotes= | =Quotes= | ||