Background
Bradley, Preston was born on August 18, 1888 in Linden, Michigan, United States. Son of Robert McFarlan and Anna Elizabeth (Warren) Bradley.
clergyman founder lecturer pastor author
Bradley, Preston was born on August 18, 1888 in Linden, Michigan, United States. Son of Robert McFarlan and Anna Elizabeth (Warren) Bradley.
Student Alma (Michigan) College, 1905-1906. Studied law, Flint, Michigan, 1906-1909. Special work University of Michigan, 1909-1910.
Doctor of Civil Law, Hamilton College Law, Chicago.
Doctor of Laws, Lake Forest College, 1938. Doctor of Divinity, Meadville Theological School, 1939, Yankton College, 1966.
He believed that ethics, religion, and economics could not be separated. This liberal ideology guided his life and he was viewed as a forceful liberal voice and a reformer. Doctor Bradley was a civic leader who was active in Chicago in many areas, such as conservation, arts, racial issues, and education.
Doctor Bradley was on the Chicago Public Library Board for over 25 years.
Preston Bradley Hall, in the former main location of the Chicago Public Library, now the Chicago Cultural Center, is named for him. He worked as a weekend pastor while a student.
In 1911, he moved to Chicago to attend the conservative Moody Bible Institute. From 1912 until the founding of the People"s Church in 1922, Doctor Bradley conducted Sunday services at a number of Chicago theaters.
Doctor Bradley founded the in 1922, basing it on the creed of "the Good, the True and the Beautiful" and affiliating with the Unitarian Conference.
In 1926, the Church moved into its home at 941 West. Lawrence. Bradley built the Church into a major Chicago institution with four thousand members. His radio program reached millions of listeners.
The Church continued to grow, adding new buildings.
lieutenant was "one of the most largely attended liberal churches in the world". Doctor Preston retired from the church in 1968, but continued to give sermons and radio programs until 1976.
Doctor Bradley was granted many honorary degrees: a Doctorate.C.L. from Hamilton College of Law (Chicago, Illinois), an L.L.D. from Lake Forest College (Lake Forest, Illinois), and a Doctor of Divinity from Meadville Theological Seminary (Chicago, Illinois).
Member Illinois State Teachers College and Normal School Bds. Member The Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, Izaak Walton League American (president 1930), Drama League American, Phi Phi Alpha (Alma), Pi Gamma Museum. Clubs: Chicago Press, City, Adventurers (Chicago).
Married Grace Wilkins Thayer, November 25, 1915 (deceased. Married June Haslet, June 30, 1952.