McCrackin, Maurice, 1905-1997

Maurice F. McCrackin was a prominent minister and social activist in Cincinnati. After graduating from the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1930, he taught in Iran for a few years under the auspices of the United Presbyterian Church. In 1945 he became minister at the West Cincinnati - St. Barnabas Church. McCrackin was convicted in 1957 of withholding income taxes, which he said funded the government's war machine. As a result of his prison sentence, McCrackin became involved in prison reform. In the 1960s he was also a leader of "Operation Freedom," a group which gave financial assistance to Southerners suffering reprisals due to their civil rights activities. The Presbytery of Cincinnati removed McCrackin as minister of the West Cincinnati - St. Barnabas Church in 1962 because of his activities, and subsequently McCrackin and his followers formed the Community Church of Cincinnati. He died in 1997.

From the description of Maurice McCrackin papers, 1905-1988 (bulk 1950-1980). (Cincinnati Historical Library and Archives). WorldCat record id: 36298843