Benjamin James Whipper, Sr., papers

Benjamin James Whipper, Sr., was born on July 6, 1912 in Early Branch, South Carolina to Joseph and Katy Walker Whipper Campbell. He was reared in Charleston by his mother and step-father, Isaac Campbell.

Whipper received his early education in the Charleston County public school system, and studied at Morris College, Benedict College and Florida State University Extension, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Baptist College, in Charleston. In 1967, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Morris College.

The Reverend Whipper began his ministry after his ordination at Charity Baptist Church in 1936. In 1940, he accepted the call to become pastor of Saint Matthew Baptist Church, and in 1949, he became pastor of Charity Baptist. Reverend Whipper served these churches simultaneously until his retirement from Charity in 1996, and St. Matthew in 1997. Whipper was titled Pastor Emeritus, by both churches in tribute to his expansive and distinguished tenure.

Understanding the need for African-Americans to become more involved in the economic life of the community, he organized the B.J. Whipper and Associates for Economic Progress. This organization was created at St. Matthew to create a savings program allowing members to make loans among themselves at low interest rates and provide opportunities for long term investments for member's benefit.

Whipper was a co-founder of the Baptist Education Center Foundation, and served as its president from 1952 to 1962; and as director form 1973 to 1993. Under his leadership, the Center purchased its first building, and extended its educational activities. Among these programs was the training of students for the ministry. At the Center, Whipper served as Director of the Morris College Extension for ministerial students.

Whipper held numerous leadership positions under the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., including its state and local conventions and associations. Locally, he was the Moderator of the Charleston County Baptist Association from 1948 until his retirement in 1993. Under his tenure, the Charleston County Baptist Association became on the State's leading supporters of Morris College and was elected Trustee Emeritus in 1996.

With the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, Whipper was treasurer intermittently between the years of 1962-1990. Serving on the Executive Board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Whipper held the position of Assistant Secretary of the Convention in 1974 to 1994, when her was elected Assistant Secretary Emeritus.

In addtion to being a pastor, Whipper was an Equal Opportunity Officer at the Charleston Naval Supply Center (1939-1972). Whipper also served the Charleston community in various capacities including functioning as a Board of Director with Jenkins Orphanage (Orphan Aid Society) and Foster Grandparents; member of the City of Charleston Election Commission, and Honorary Chairperson in the 1985 YWCA fund Drive. In the 1960s, Whipper initiated efforts to revitalize the Ministerial Alliance of Charleston. Additional membership affilations include the Suburban Masonic Lodge No. 213, Charleston Coalition for Black Voter Participation, and Beta Kappa Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

As a visionary community leader, Reverend Whipper established Charleston's first Head Start Program, and Operation Catch Up; a multi age tutorial program for adults to pass the GED to acquire their high school diplomas, and after school education for elementary and middle school students. Whipper also createddone of the first bus ministries among the Black churches of the area; and one of the oldest Boy Scout Troops in continuous operation in Charleston County.

Reverend Whipper was married to the late Nancy Bell Jackson in 1935, and parented five children. He married Lucille Simmons Edley in 1957, and raised Benjamin James Whipper, Jr., Ogretta Whipper-Hawkins, Rosmond Whipper-Black, J. Seth Whipper, Cheryl D. Whipper-Hamilton, D'Jaris D. Whipper-Lewis, and Stanford L. Edley.

The Reverend Dr. Benjamin James Whipper, Sr. passed on June 13, 1998.