Marion C. Bascom

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Marion C. Bascom
Born( 1925-03-14)March 14, 1925
Baltimore, Maryland
, U.S.
Alma materHoward University

Marion Curtis Bascom (March 14, 1925 – May 17, 2012) was an American

Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore, Maryland, for 45 years.[1]

Bascom oversaw numerous civic initiatives in the Baltimore community.

Early life and career

Bascom was born in Pensacola, Florida,[2] to Mary Anderson and Bruce Bascom. He helped rear four siblings, one being Bernadette Bascom, who became an R&B singer.

Bascom attended grade school in Pensacola at the Spencer Bibbs school. This was followed by

Douglas Memorial Community Church, which is the oldest in Bolton Hill. This church was an independent, after splitting from Bethel A.M.E. in 1925.[3][4][5][6][7]

In addition to his religious leadership, Bascom served on the board of directors of the Reginald L. Lewis Museum, and was a leader in the founding of "Associated Black Charities". Bascom served as Baltimore's first black fire commissioner, and organized a Meals on Wheels program for the community near his church. He developed a 49-unit apartment complex, Douglas Village, for disadvantaged members of the community, and established a summer camp for underprivileged children.

Civil rights leadership

Bascom marched with

Gwynn Oak Amusement Park. The park integrated the following month.[2]

Death and legacy

Bascom died of a heart attack at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He was 87.[2]

Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake stated that Bascom was: "One of Baltimore's great civil rights leaders... who helped shape the religious and political infrastructure we all benefit from today... His faith inspired a commitment to the fight for equality and human rights for all Americans... He spoke for justice and advocated for the disenfranchised."[2]

Former Baltimore mayor Kurt Schmoke stated: "A giant has fallen. He affected thousands of lives in our community and was a positive life force."[2]

A firehouse in Baltimore was named in Bascom's honor.[2]

References

  1. ^ What ever happened to...? Rev. Marion C. Bascom The Baltimore Sun, January 06, 2007, Frederick N. Rasmussen
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Kelly, Jacques (May 18, 2012). "Rev. Marion Bascom, civil Rights Activist and Pastor, Dies". Baltimore Sun.
  3. ^ Marion Bascom, Reverend, Interview by Richard Richardson, June 18.1976, Douglas Memorial Church, Baltimore, MD., Transcribed by, Jean Herbert,
  4. ^ Baltimore National Heritage Area, Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage Trail, http://www.pennsylvaniaavenuebaltimore.com/attractions/attractions.html
  5. ^ Research the Civil Rights Movement in Baltimore, Keep on Movin' Toward Freedom: The "Free" State's Struggle with Equality, A Research Project funded by the Anne F. Casey Foundation, Baltimore, MD. 2006-2007 "Maryland Civil Rights". Archived from the original on 2010-04-03. Retrieved 2010-12-02. 11/15/2010
  6. ^ Maryland Historical Society, Oral History Office, OH8128, cassette tape #405, No, 5240-5241, and Biography.
  7. ^ Baltimore Sun July 13, 1963 Historic Sun article (Integrating Gwynn Oak)