Lacey Kirk Williams was converted and baptized in 1884 at the Thankful Baptist Church, which his parents helped found in Brazos Bottom, Texas. From the start of his career as a Baptist minister he was involved in the government of the Baptist church. In 1916 Williams was named pastor of Chicago's 4,000 member Olivet Church. During his pastorship the church's membership increased to 12,000 and the church became a positive force in the life of Chicago's black community providing it numerous social services. He achieved national prominence as president of the General Baptist Convention of Illinois (1917–1922), as president of the National Baptist Convention (1922–1940), and as vice president of the Baptist World Alliance (1928–1940). He was killed in a plane crash in 1940.
See also Baptists.