Background
Rooks, Charles Shelby was born on October 19, 1924 in Beaufort, North Carolina, United States. Son of Shelby A. and Maggie (Hawkins) Rooks.
Rooks, Charles Shelby was born on October 19, 1924 in Beaufort, North Carolina, United States. Son of Shelby A. and Maggie (Hawkins) Rooks.
AB, Virginia State University, 1949. Master of Divinity, Union Theological Seminary, 1953. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Howard University, 1981.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Virginia State University, 1984. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Talladega College, 1989. Doctor of Divinity (honorary), College Wooster, 1968.
Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Interdenominational Theological Center, 1979. Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Virginia Union University, 1980. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Dillard University, 1986.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Heidelberg College, 1990. Doctor of Letters (honorary), Huston-Tillotson College, 1989.
Pastor, Shanks Village Church, Orangeburg, New York, 1951-1953;
pastor, Lincoln Memorial Congressional Temple, Washington, 1953-1960;
associate director, Fund for Theological Education, Princeton, New Jersey, 1960-1967;
executive director, Fund for Theological Education, Princeton, New Jersey, 1967-1974;
president, Chicago Theological Seminary, 1974-1984;
executive vice president, United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, New York City, 1984-1992;
retired, United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, New York City, 1992. Member Executive Board department ministry National Council Churches, 1962-1970. Chairman of the Board United Church of Christ Office of Comm., 1964-1981, Chairman of Commission structure Control Atlantic Conference, 1962-1964.
Member Union Theol Seminary Alumni Council, 1968-1970, Theological Perspectives Commision on National Committee Black Churchmen, 1968-1974. Visiting fellow Episcopalian Theological Seminary S.W., Austin, Texas, 1966. Lecturer in field, 1960-1994.
Chairman planning committee National Consultation Negro in Christian Ministry, 1965. Trustee Bexley Hall Theological Seminary, Colgate-Rochester Division School, 1968-1973, Lancaster Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania, 1969-1974, Eastern Career Testing Center, Lancaster, 1969-1974. Member Princeton Regional School Board, 1969-1970, Executive Board National Committee Religion and Labor, 1987-1991.
Board directors The Africa Fund, 1987-1991, Washington Urban League, 1955-1960, chairman housing committee, 1956-1960. Chairman educational advising committee Chicago Urban League, 1978-1984. President Communications Improvement, 1971-1981.
Vice chair National Committee for Full Employment, 1987-1991. Served with Army of the United States, 1943-1946, PTO. Member Virginia State University National Alumni Association (president 1966-1967), Society for Study Black Religion (president 1970-1974, 80-84), Association Theological Schools (consultant Blackch. studies 1970-1971, member of commission on accrediting 1976-1982, chairman 1980-1982, Executive Committee 1982-1984, Distinguished Svc. medal 1992).
M C.
Married Adrienne Martinez, August 7, 1946 (deceased February 1999). Children: Laurence Gaylord, Carol Ann. Married Elaine Hunter, August 4, 2000.