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TO CONGRATULATE THE REVEREND CASPER ISAIAH GLENN, A NATIVE OF WINNSBORO, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
Whereas, on January 9, 2022, Winnsboro native Casper Isaiah Glenn, now of California, will awaken to the celebration of a milestone event: his one hundredth birthday; and
Whereas, born on a Winnsboro farm on January 9, 1922, Casper Glenn was the son of James and Mattie Glenn. His parents had instilled in him a great love for education, but in his early years, obtaining an education was not easy for the young Casper. He and his parents, therefore, felt greatly blessed when he was accepted at a school organized by the Presbyterian Church in Cheraw. There, he would determine his life's work when the school's principal, Dr. George W. Long, encouraged him to go into the ministry; and
Whereas, Dr. Long also encouraged Casper to attend Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. An excellent student, he graduated from Lincoln in 1944 and then entered Western Theological Seminary. Later, he would continue his education at Temple University; and
Whereas, his long career in Christian work began in Baltimore, Maryland, at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church, which he led from 1946 to 1953. He fought for equal rights during this time and, as an NAACP member, fought tirelessly to change discriminatory practices; and
Whereas, through the years, he also served in New Orleans (Berean Presbyterian Church) and Tucson (Southside Presbyterian Church). In 1959 at Southside, he had the privilege of hosting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who had heard about this multicultural church. During Reverend Glenn's eight years at Southside, he also served as president of the NAACP in Tucson, playing a crucial role in successfully addressing desegregation; and
Whereas, in 1964, he became pastor of Bel-Vue Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. While he pastored there, he also served at the Westminster Neighborhood Association. These two entities were critical players during the 1965 Watts rebellion. Reverend G. Willmore of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) said it was Reverend Glenn's constant connection with those participating in the rebellion that kept the church, its surrounding buildings, and the neighborhood safe. For two months, he ministered on the streets, and his contributions are documented in the book Rivers of Blood, Years of Darkness by Robert E. Conot; and
Whereas, in 1968, he became associate director of the Greater Parish Ministry of San Diego and served in that capacity until 1978, when he was elected the first Black synod executive for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to be assigned to the Alaska-Northwest Territory. In this post, he traveled widely for the church, both domestically and overseas. At century's end, Casper Glenn completed his ministry to the Presbyterian Church with church development for East Africa and service as pastor of Loresho Presbyterian Church of East Africa. He and his wife of seventy years, Vernilla Turnage Glenn, were also instrumental in establishing schools and providing educational opportunities. Since his retirement, Reverend Glenn has continued to mentor young ministers and lead worship; and
Whereas, on the occasion of his centennial birthday, Casper Glenn's family and friends will gather to honor him at a celebratory event, to be held January 9, 2022, in Carson, California; and
Whereas, it is a great pleasure to honor this son of South Carolina at the celebration of his one hundredth birthday and to join with his family and friends in congratulating him on reaching this important life milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate the Reverend Casper Isaiah Glenn, a native of Winnsboro, on the occasion of his one hundredth birthday and wish him much happiness in the days ahead.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Reverend Casper Isaiah Glenn.
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