Wesley John Gaines

Bishop Wesley John Gaines (October 4, 1840 – January 12, 1912) was a church and community leader in Georgia. He was vice president of Payne Theological Seminary and co-founder of Morris Brown College. He was African-American.

Early life Gaines was born in Wilkes County, Georgia, one of fourteen children of his enslaved parents, Louisa and William Gaines. He was named for John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, the religion of his father. His mother was a Baptist. Sick as a child, he taught himself to read while in bed.

He took to religion at a young age, reading the bible and experiencing conversion when he was nine years of age. By the time he was fifteen or sixteen years of age, he became interested in becoming a preacher. In 1855, he was moved to Stewart County, Georgia and the following year to Muskogee County, Georgia. At more than 300 pounds and 6'2" tall, he said he was sold at one point for $1,000.

Personal life

On the 20th he married fellow slave, Julia A. Camper. Nine other churches were named for him.