Joseph Parrish Thompson

Joseph Parrish Thompson (1819–1879) was an abolitionist and Congregationalist minister. He was pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle Church in New York from 1845 to 1871, (also known as Broadway United Church of Christ and Second Free Presbyterian Church). His major life accomplishments include founding The Independent, an anti-slavery religious weekly started in 1848, contributing and managing The New Englander (later re-named the Yale Review), served as president of the American Union Commission, being a member of the committee to create the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, played a major role in the development of 20 Congregational churches in Manhattan and Brooklyn. and assisted the Treaty of Berlin with the religious liberty clause. Biography Joseph Parrish Thompson was born in Philadelphia, August 7, 1819, the son of Isaac Thompson and Mary Ann (Hanson). He graduated from Yale University in 1838, having been a member of Skull and Bones. He pursued further theological studies at Andover Theological Seminary and New Haven, and was ordained pastor of the Chapel Street church in New Haven in November 1840. Joseph Parrish Thompson was pastor of the Chapel street church in New Haven from 1840 to 1845. During his years at New Haven, he was one of the originators of The New Englander, a Congregational quarterly review, later renamed the Yale Review. He was called to the pastoral charge of the Broadway Tabernacle church, at one time the largest building in New York City, in 1845. He served there as pastor from 15 April of that year until 1871. Dr. Thompson preached the church's anti-slavery beliefs, supporting women's suffrage (voting) and promoting the abolition of alcoholic drinks. He frequently preached to a congregation of 2,500 parishioners. Black pastors were invited as guest preachers. William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth spoke at the church. Rioters tried to burn the church and Dr. Thompson's home in 1863, but they were stopped by members of the congregation. A Confederate sympathizer attempted to shoot Dr. Thompson during a worship service because of his deep loyalty to the Union. During his time at the Broadway Tabernacle, he also played a major role in the development of 20 Congregational churches in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Dr. Thompson convened the first national meeting of Congregational churches in Albany in 1852. About 500 ministers and delegates from 17 different states attended this historical gathering.