Harlem From The Rectory Window Author:John Johnson Originally entitled Fact not Fiction in Harlem, this intriguing account of Harlem (written in 1979) as seen through the eyes of "the number one citizen of Harlem and one of the first citizens of New York City" takes the reader through all the lows and highs of this great community and brings a perspective that is rare for a clergyman who also wa... more »lked easily in the upper echelons of the then white-dominated Episcopal Church. Dr. Johnson never preached down to anyone--he spoke their language be they a numbers runner, lawyer, domestic, policeman or member of the Church hierarchy.
He brought dignitaries such as Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Queen Elizabeth and others to meet the parishioners of St. Martin's. New York's Mayor La Guardia turned to him to help resolve the problem of racism in American sports and appointed him chaplain of the New York Police Department. Johnson also served as the last president of baseball's Negro National League.« less