Charles W. Kerr

Class of
1934
Charles W. Kerr

Charles W. Kerr

“Dr. Kerr was Tulsa’s longest and best loved pastor, a power for good in the community with an underlying devotion to home, country, and God.”
Fred Clinton, M.D.

Biography

Charles William Kerr was born in Pennsylvania, where he attended Western Theological Seminary in 1895. He transferred to McCormick Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated in 1898 before moving to Edmond, Oklahoma, to serve as pastor of the local Presbyterian Church. In 1900, he became the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa. By 1904 the church was quickly becoming one of the largest in the denomination and Dr. Kerr served there until April, 1941, when he became chaplain of Hillcrest Memorial Hospital. He played a major role in bringing Kendall College, later named the University of Tulsa, in 1907 and was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. in 1923.

Fun fact

Dr. Kerr came to Tulsa when it was still Indian Territory and over half of his congregation was Native American.

Oklahoma connections

Kerr moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, to serve as a pastor in 1898.

Hometown

Tulsa

Profession

Religious Leader

Presenter

Born

1875

Died

1951
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