Walker Center

Rendering of the Bishop John T. Walker Center at Holy Comforter

Bishop John Thomas Walker

Born in Barnesville, Georgia, Bishop Walker grew up in Detroit.In 1951 he became the first African American to be admitted as a student in the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, thereby breaking down a significant racial barrier in the history of the Episcopal Church.

Bishop Walker was an active and dedicated prie3st, teacher and leader in parishes, missions and schools.In the early 1960s he provided leadership to programs in Central America.

Bishop Walker came to Washington in 1966 as Canon of the Washington Cathedral with special responsibility for its ministry to the community.He was elected Suffragan Bishop of Washington May 1971 and became the sixth Bishop and first Bishop of African Heritage of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington in July, 1977.

He presided over the completion of the Washington National Cathedral.He was pioneer and founder of the Washington Interfaith Council and he was a passionate promoter of ministries and programs for the development of young people and children.Bishop Walker died in 1989.

The John T. Walker Center

The John T. Walker Center at Holy Comforter Church is a project whose goal is to support the surrounding community and others who might affiliate with the Center - wherever they may live - strengthen themselves academically, economically, spiritually and socially.Programs will be offered to meet identified needs in upper Ward 4 of Washington, D.C.

Approximately 7720 square feet of space on two levels will be built and part of the existing structure of Holy Comforter Church will be renovated to house the Walker Center.The Center will consist of multipurpose rooms, classrooms, conference space, a library and a resource center.

The Walker Center will serve as a focal point for other churches and for community groups to participate in meeting the needs in this area.