Andrew Harvey Ransom

Andrew Harvey Ransom was born on April 6, 1931 in Wilmington, De. to parents Blanche (Curtis) of Annapolis, Md. and Bishop Armstead Henry Ransom of Washington, DC. He attended Howard High and graduated in 1948. Andrew captained the football, basketball, baseball and track teams.

Andrew furthered his education at Lincoln University the nation's first degree granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU), graduating with a BA in 1953. During his tenure at Lincoln he competed as a member of the 1952 Lincoln University Varsity Football team playing Howard in the 47th Renewal of

the Howard - Lincoln Classic on Thanksgiving Day Nov 27, 1952 at Griffith Stadium in Washington, DC.

Andrew served in the United States Army and SCARWAF (Special Category Army with Air Force) and played on the Camp Kilmer 1953-54 basketball championship team.

Following his honorable discharge from military service he returned to Lincoln University in the fall of 1955 to study at the Theological Seminary graduating in 1958 with a BD.

Upon graduation Rev. Ransom worked in the Department of Public Welfare in Wilmington Delaware as a social worker prior to his calling to and ordination at McPheeters Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri in 1959. During his tenure at McPheeters Andrew was led into Urban work and became

Program Supervisor for the Church and Community Program of the Presbytery of St. Louis (UPUSA).

After completing three years in Church social work he furthered his education at the University of Illinois, Jane Addams School of Social Work from 1963-64 and McCormick Theological Seminary from 1963-65. Reverend Ransom during this time worked at Lawrence Hall Inc., an Episcopalian Home for dependent boys and at the Commission on Youth Welfare in Chicago.

While still in Chicago, Illinois, Rev Andrew Ransom chaired the Renewal and Outreach Committee of Olivet Presbyterian Church as well as Chairing the Tenant Action Council, commonly known as T.A.C. of Old Town Garden Apartments. During his tenure with T.A.C. the organization became nationally known for its 1965 tenants’ rent strike when 340 of 620 apartments went on strike. The Tenant Action Council and the rent strike drew the support of the UAW and the Industrial Union Department of AFL-CIO. The Tenant Union concept of Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. came to life under Andrew’s leadership in Chicago’s fight for new Tenant-Landlord laws.

Rev. Andrew Ransom, married his wife Rosella Mae Tomlinson on December 26, 1956 and of this union they had two sons when they came in 1967 to reside in Silver Spring, Md.

In 1967 Rev Andrew Ransom accepted the position of Assistant Minister responsible for Social Education and Action Program at the historic (Lincoln’s church) New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC. He was installed on Sunday Sept 17, 1967 at 5:00pm. The Sermon, preached by Lincoln University graduate, The Reverend Maurice Moyer was titled The Power to See it Through.

In 1971, Rev Andrew Ransom was called and installed to Pastor South Park Calvary United Presbyterian, a historic registered church at Broad Street at Lincoln Park in Newark, New Jersey. The Sunday May 23, 1971 Installation as Pastor was a Service of Renewal for the Downtown Ministry. He remained there until his return to Silver Spring, Md in 1974 where he worked at the Sears and Roebuck in White Oak, Md. until retirement.

Andrew continued in retirement his lifelong ministry, supporting a number of organizations and churches to include The Washington Bridge Unit, Maple Springs Baptist Church, Village Community Church and of course Mount Calvary Baptist Church.

Andrew was an avid bowler, bowling in leagues throughout the metro area often alongside his wife Rosella. Andrew was active in the Washington Bridge Unit (the Hut) of the American Bridge Association located in Mt Rainier, Md. Andrew lived a long and fruitful life! He leaves to cherish fond memories a host

of friend and relatives; sons Jonathan Aaron Ransom and son-in-law Scott, Jeffrey Armstead Ransom and daughter-in-law Dawn; grandchildren Kendell and Nia, and a host of nieces and nephews.