Rosa Page Welch
The Christian Church in the Southwest Honors Black History Month
Today, we celebrate Rosa Page Welch, a trailblazer in Disciples history whose life and ministry embodied faith, music, and racial reconciliation.
Born in 1900 to Mississippi sharecroppers, Welch was deeply rooted in Christian faith. She attended the Southern Christian Institute, a Disciples of Christ boarding school, where she honed her musical talents and embraced non-violence, hope, and God’s love.
After moving to Chicago to pursue music, Welch and her husband, E.C. Welch, became active in the church, advocating for desegregation at the Disciples Divinity House at the University of Chicago. Her dedication to faith and justice earned her the title “Ambassador of Good Will” in 1952.
Her ministry reached beyond the U.S., as she traveled the world using music to bridge divides and promote peace. Her global outreach included visits to Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Burma, India, Pakistan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, the Belgian Congo, Liberia, Portugal, Britain, and France.
Welch confronted racial prejudice with patience, determination, and unshakable faith, often saying, “I enjoy loving the hate out of people.” Her ministry was guided by the belief that love can overcome hatred.
She also served as a schoolteacher and choir director for the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria and later joined the Church of the Brethren General Board from 1970 to 1973.
Her legacy is honored in the Chalice Hymnal through this prayer:
"O Lord Jesus Christ, help the church be able to see and describe itself as a source of freedom and power, so that it can communicate with the world and participate in the revolutionary changes that are taking place. And help it to find the joy that comes through involvement, with your help in making all persons free."
Rosa Page Welch’s life is an enduring inspiration. Her commitment to racial justice, her use of music as ministry, and her unwavering faith continue to resonate today. As we honor her during Black History Month, may we carry forward her spirit of love, reconciliation, and service.