Princeton Theological Seminary appoints director of the Betsey Stockton Center for Black Church Studies

New full-time position and Center renaming are the Seminary’s latest acts of repentance

by Princeton Theological Seminary | Special to Presbyterian News Service

the Rev. Dr. David Latimore

PRINCETON, New Jersey — The Rev. Dr. David Latimore has been appointed the first full-time director of Princeton Theological Seminary’s Betsey Stockton Center for Black Church Studies, effective June 1.

The Rev. Dr. John White, dean of student life and vice president for student relations, led the six-month search to fill the new role. “Support for Dr. Latimore was unanimous among the committee. It didn’t take long for us to recognize the breadth and depth of his academic, industry and pastoral experience,” says White. “We are extremely excited to see the direction and growth of the Center under Dr. Latimore’s leadership.”

“I consider this an extraordinary opportunity to utilize the full span of my academic training and research interests, along with my ecclesial and professional experiences, in Princeton Seminary’s vibrant academic community and campus life,” says Latimore.

Latimore’s teaching and research interests focus on the intersection of religion, race and economic justice through the examination of how economic ideological pre-suppositions underlie many of the disparities and inequalities witnessed in African American communities and their impact on the theology of the Black church.

Under the umbrella of Academic Affairs, Latimore is charged with enhancing programming to support ongoing critical theological research and engagement on the legacy of enslavement and enriching the formative experience of seminarians.

“The timing couldn’t be better for Dr. Latimore to join our community as we begin our new curriculum in the fall. With Dr. Latimore’s background, I’m confident that he will make significant contributions toward helping the Seminary creatively engage students in thinking theologically about current and urgent issues of social, economic and public life,” says Dr. Shawn Oliver, senior associate academic dean and member of the search committee.

Latimore comes to Princeton Seminary from Tennessee, where he served as senior pastor at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church in Nashville, taught at Belmont University, acted as a minority student mentor, and was associate director for the Academy of Preachers. He earned his doctorate from the University of Chicago, his DMin from McCormick Theological Seminary, his MDiv from Duke Divinity School, and his AB from Harvard University. He has served as pastor at three other congregations, Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet, Illinois; Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Gainesville, Florida; and Southern Union Baptist Church in St. Louis. Before attending seminary, Latimore had a successful career in investment management and economic development.

“When considering a person to fill the director position, my dream was to have someone who could help Black students discern their vocational goals in addition to helping them build networks while in seminary so they could be in a great position to find jobs after graduation,” says Jalen Baker, MDiv senior and moderator for the Association of Black Seminarians. Baker was also a member of the search committee. “Dr. Latimore got my vote because he is a brilliant scholar and pastor whose empathy and well-rounded theological expertise will be a gift to all students and faculty at Princeton Seminary. He’s just the person to step into this role and aid the Seminary in becoming the covenant community we are striving to be here and in the world.”

This appointment marks another significant milestone in the implementation of a multi-year action plan to repent for the Seminary’s historical ties to slavery. The Center has been named for Betsey Stockton, a prominent African American educator in Princeton during the antebellum North and a Presbyterian missionary in the Sandwich Islands (present-day Hawaii). Prior to her emancipation in 1817, Stockton was enslaved by the chair of Princeton Seminary’s Board of Trustees.

“Today, the Betsey Stockton Center for Black Church Studies has the potential to be a beacon of light in theological education and for the church at large,” says Baker.

 About Princeton Theological Seminary

Princeton Theological Seminary, founded in 1812, is the first seminary established by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. Its mission is to educate leaders for the church of Jesus Christ worldwide. Its students and more than 11,000 graduates from all 50 states and many nations around the world serve Christ in churches, schools and universities, healthcare institutions, nonprofit agencies, initiatives for social justice, mission agencies, and the emerging ministries of the church in the 21^st century.