Bro. Reverend Dr. Williams H. Hester

Not unlike Phi Beta Sigma’s Honorable Founder A. Langston Taylor, Brother Reverend Dr. Williams Hunter Hester was a respected national Christian leader. Bro. Rev. Dr. Hester accepted the call to lead the historic Twelfth Baptist Church in July of 1924. As the 11th pastor, he was a gentleman, scholar, advisor, and friend who won the admiration of a wide circle of followers. As a true shepherd, Reverend Dr. Hester endeavored to comfort the bereaved, to encourage the sick, and support the needy.   In New England, he was regarded as one of the most distinguished and princely leaders of the Christian faith. For his faithful service to so many, Bro. Rev. Dr. Hester was unofficially regarded as the “Dean of Boston’s Clergy.” In his lead pastor role, Bro. Rev. Dr. Hester mentored and cultivated the growth and development of a host of young seminarians including, most notably, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This was no accident, as Dr. King, Sr., was a longtime friend of Bro. Rev. Dr. Hester.

Bro. Rev. Dr. Hester originally came to Boston to pursue graduate studies at Boston University School of Theology and the Andover Newton Theological School. In Boston, Bro. Rev. Dr. Hester was initiated into Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., through the Boston Alumni Chapter of Pi Beta Sigma.

Bro. Rev. Dr. Hester was a pivotal leader in the denomination services as the President of the Negro Baptist Ministries Conference of Boston and was an active member of the Ordination Council, the Trustee Board of Palmer Memorial Institute, the Executive Board of the New England Baptist Convention and the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention Incorporated. However, Bro. Rev. Dr. Hester was also driven by being of service to his community. Although Reverend Dr. Hester had no biological children, he placed great emphasis on the youth and the community, opening doors for their advancement not only within the church and community but also in the world at large. Under his leadership, Christian Education flourished at Twelfth Baptist Church. Sunday School was revitalized, the Baptist Young People’s Union expanded, Summer Vacation Bible School was initiated along with weekly religious activities and panel discussions.