Longtime pastor of Chapel Hill’s First Baptist Church Dr. JR Manley Sr. died on Sunday afternoon, according to a post of the church’s Facebook page.

The church’s website says Manley, a Shaw University graduate, took over as Pastor in September of 1946 and led the church for more than 65 years.

The congregation more than tripled under Manley’s leadership, according to the church.

Manley was serving as Pastor Emeritus at the time of his death.

Manley was also the first African-American to be elected to the Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools Board of Education.

United States Fourth District Congressman David Price tweeted his condolences on Monday.

https://twitter.com/RepDavidEPrice/status/808398199098634241

The church’s post said arrangements are currently pending and will be shared as soon as they are finalized.

Price released a longer condolence statement on Tuesday:

“Lisa and I were saddened to learn of the passing of the Rev. Dr. John Manley, a pastor, community leader, and friend whom we have known and admired during our entire time in Chapel Hill. During his uniquely long and fruitful pastorate at First Baptist, from 1946 to 2011, the church’s membership expanded greatly, as did its impact on the wider community.

“Dr. Manley will go down in history as the first African-American member of the Chapel Hill Board of Education and as a prophetic figure during turbulent times. I always felt warmly welcomed in his church and in his pulpit, and I particularly remember the joyous two-days-long celebration of his 60th anniversary in 2006. I also knew him as a champion of affordable housing and as the driving force behind Manley Estates, a HUD-supported rental development for older citizens, which appropriately bears his name.

“Lisa and I join thousands in this community in giving thanks for the life and ministry of John Manley and in recognizing the witness he has made and the lives he has touched.”

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