Howard Zebulun Plummer (16 November 1899 in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

- 24 February 1980) was a

Black Hebrew Israelite Black Hebrew Israelites (also called Hebrew Israelites, Black Hebrews, Black Israelites, and African Hebrew Israelites) are groups of African Americans who believe that they are the descendants of the ancient Israelites. Some sub-groups believ ...

religious leader.

Early life

Plummer was born in Philadelphia on November 16th, 1899, the son of William H. Plummer and Jennie E. Bonds. His father joined the

Church of God and Saints of Christ The Church of God and Saints of Christ is a Black Hebrew Israelite religious group established in Lawrence, Kansas, by William Saunders Crowdy in 1896. William Crowdy began congregations in several cities in the Midwestern and Eastern United State ...

soon after Howard’s birth, and the Plummer family became intimately involved in its doctrine and work. In August, 1900, in the city of Philadelphia Howard's parents brought him to be blessed by the Church’s founder, prophet

William Saunders Crowdy William Saunders Crowdy (August 11, 1847 – August 4, 1908) was an American soldier, preacher, entrepreneur, theologian, and pastor. As one of the earliest Black Hebrew Israelites Black Hebrew Israelites (also called Hebrew Israelites, ...

. Crowdy observed that throughout the blessing, Howard looked directly at him and reportedly said, "Plummer, this boy is looking down my throat and taking in every word I say. Someday, he is going to be a great preacher."

Religious career

On 20 April 1917, soon after his father - now Bishop - became the executive leader of the Church of God and Saints of Christ, he was ordained a minister by his father. Following his ordination, he became affectionately known as "Elder Howard" to all of his friends and the membership. Also in 1917, his father appointed him General Superintendent of the Sabbath Schools. After the death of Bishop Plummer on December 22, 1931 at a meeting of Church Officials held December 28, 1931 in Belleville, Elder Calvin S. Skinner consecrated Elder Howard Z. Plummer and proclaimed him as Leader of the

. Plummer led this congregation for over 43 years, ending his tenure in 1975. Rabbi Plummer's religious life embraced contact with many of the country's leading ministers and educators and collaboration with them in numerous activities. His earnest and productive accomplishments resulted in his being awarded the Doctor of Divinity Degree by

Wilberforce University Wilberforce University is a private historically black university in Wilberforce, Ohio. Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), it was the first college to be owned and operated by African Americans. It participates in t ...

Wilberforce, Ohio Wilberforce is a census-designated place (CDP) in Greene County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,271 at the 2010 census, up from 1,579 at the 2000 census. History After Wilberforce College was established in 1856, the community was a ...

, in 1944. Rabbi Howard Z. Plummer was noted for his humanitarian efforts, including * Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Virginia, PHA * Member

Phi Beta Sigma Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. () is a historically African American fraternity. It was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students with nine other Howard students as char ...

fraternity (initiated at Alpha Alpha,

) * Member, Board of Directors

Norfolk State College Norfolk State University (NSU) is a public historically black university in Norfolk, Virginia. It is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Virginia High-Tech Partnership. History The institution was founded on September 18, 1935 ...

Foundation (This board financially assisted in the formulation of Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia.) * Past President, Interracial Interdenominational Hampton Ministers Conference, 1954. It was during his administration that the Reverends

Gardner C. Taylor Gardner Calvin Taylor (June 18, 1918 – April 5, 2015) was an American Baptist preacher. He was admired for his eloquence as well as his understanding of Christian faith and theology. He became known as "the dean of American preaching". He learne ...

and

Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist, one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968 ...

made one of their memorable appearances as Conference Preachers.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Plummer, Howard Z. 1899 births 1980 deaths Wilberforce University alumni Black Hebrew Israelite religious leaders Religious leaders from Pennsylvania People from Philadelphia 20th-century African-American people