Richard F. Jesse Collection

Richard F. Jesse was born 29 December 1882 at Brenham, Texas. He was educated at Saint Paul College (Concordia, Missouri); Concordia College (Fort Wayne, Indiana); and Concordia Seminary (Saint Louis), graduating from the seminary in 1904. He was ordained and installed as pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church (Saint Louis) on 10 July 1904 and served this congregation for 38 years. He held various positions in the English District of the Missouri Synod from its beginning in 1911, including executive secretary for missions from 1941 to 1953. He served the synod as a member of the Synodical Conference Board of Colored Missions, the Literature Board, the Board for Young People's Work and the Board of Control of Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis. He died on 20 October 1970.